Sexual disorders post-stroke: Description of a cohort of patients followed in rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

The impairments resulting from a stroke can be multiple, including urinary and/or sexual dysfunctions. This acquired brain injury disrupts neurological control of sexual responses.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

to describe sexual disorders, after a first episode of stroke, in a population followed in a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) center.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES

to gather patients' expectations and PMR physicians' opinions on this subject.

METHOD

Observational, retrospective study in two PRM centers. Post-stroke sexuality was assessed using two validated questionnaires [for men: International Index of Erectile Function 15 (IIEF15) and for women: Female Sexual function Index (FSFI)]. Patients were asked 3 questions to approximate their expectations, and PRM physicians were asked 2 questions for their opinions.

RESULTS

Twenty-four subjects included (17 men/7 women). Thirteen had no post-stroke sexuality. Erectile function was analysable in 4 subjects, 3 of whom had moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. In women, female sexual dysfunction concerned 6/7 women, including lubrication. Ninety-six percent of subjects had never discussed sexuality with their PRM physician. Only 33% would have liked information on this subject. Our PRM physicians rarely discuss post-stroke sexual disability.

CONCLUSION

Post-stroke sexual disorders occur in both sexes. All areas of sexuality may be affected. A large-scale, prospective, controlled, multicenter study is needed to establish stroke as the direct neurological cause of sexual impairment.

Primary somatosensory cortex organization for engineering artificial somatosensation

Somatosensory deficits from stroke, spinal cord injury, or other neurologic damage can lead to a significant degree of functional impairment. The primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortices encode information in a medial to lateral organization. SI is generally organized topographically, with more discrete cortical representations of specific body regions. SII regions corresponding to anatomical areas are less discrete and may represent a more functional rather than topographic organization. Human somatosensory research continues to map cortical areas of sensory processing with efforts primarily focused on hand and upper extremity information in SI. However, research into SII and other body regions is lacking. In this review, we synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding the cortical organization of human somatosensation and discuss potential applications for brain computer interface. In addition to accurate individualized mapping of cortical somatosensation, further research is required to uncover the neurophysiological mechanisms of how somatosensory information is encoded in the cortex.

Thermal Grill Illusion in Post-Stroke Patients: Analysis of Clinical Features and Lesion Areas

Purpose

In the thermal grill illusion, participants experience a feeling similar to burning pain. The illusion is induced by simultaneously touching warm and cool stimuli in alternating positions. In post-stroke pain, central sensitization is caused by a variety of factors, including damage to the spinothalamic tract and shoulder pain. Because the thermal grill illusion depends on central mechanisms, it has recently been suggested that it may be a useful indicator of central sensitization. Therefore, we hypothesized that post-stroke patients who are more likely to experience central sensitization may also be more likely to experience a thermal grill sensation of pain and discomfort than the likelihood among those who are less likely to experience central sensitization. However, the effects of the thermal grill illusion in post-stroke patients have not yet been reported. In this pilot study, we conducted the thermal grill illusion procedure in post-stroke patients and analyzed the relationship between clinical somatosensory functions and thermal grill sensations. We also conducted brain imaging analysis to identify brain lesion areas that were associated with thermal grill sensations.

Patients and Methods

Twenty patients (65.7 ± 11.9 years old) with post-stroke patients participated in this study. The thermal grill illusion procedure was performed as follows: patients simultaneously touched eight water-filled copper bars, with the water temperature adjusted to provide alternate warm (40°C) and cold (20°C) stimuli.

Results

Thermal grill sensation of pain and discomfort tended to be associated with the wind-up phenomenon in bedside quantitative sensory testing and thermal grill sensation of discomfort was also related to damage to the thalamic lateral nucleus.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the thermal grill illusion might measure central sensitization, and that secondary brain hyperactivity might lead to increased thermal grill sensations.

Genetically predicted cardiovascular diseases could increase the risk of erectile dysfunction: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization

PURPOSE

Erectile dysfunction (ED) often appears concomitantly with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the causal relationship between ED and CVDs is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the causal effects between CVDs and ED using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR).

METHODS

ED data (6175 cases and 217,630 controls) were obtained from the IEU OpenGWAS project. Seven types of CVDs were acquired in our study, including stroke (Sample size = 440,328), myocardial infection (Sample size = 184,305), coronary heart disease (Sample size = 86,995), hypertension (Sample size = 36,683), heart failure (Sample size = 208,178), atrial fibrillation (Sample size = 1,030,836), and coronary artery disease (Sample size = 141,217). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was selected as the primary method for MR analysis.

RESULTS

IVW results indicated that stroke (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02-1.29, P = 0.025), coronary artery disease (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.16, P = 0.013), coronary heart disease (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.13, P = 0.017), myocardial infection (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17, P = 0.011), and atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00-1.12, P = 0.04) were causally associated with ED. The reverse MR analysis suggested that ED did not influence the prevalence of CVDs.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlighted CVDs as causal risk factors for ED, but ED did not directly result in the development of CVDs. Regular monitoring of the erectile function of individuals with CVDs, along with implementing appropriate preventive measures, might help reduce the incidence of ED and enhance the sexual well-being of patients with CVDs.

Talking about Sexuality in Stroke Individuals: The New Era of Sexual Rehabilitation

One of the largest causes of mortality and disability worldwide is stroke. In the last twenty years significant objectives have been achieved in the early and chronic treatment of motor and cognitive dysfunctions, increasing the quality of life in patients and their caregivers. However, there is an unresolved clinical issue that remains: sexual dysfunctions. Multiple etiologies, including organic (such as lesion localization, premorbid medical problems, and drugs) and psychosocial (such as fear of recurrences, loss of self-esteem, role shifts, anxiety, and depression), are associated with sexual deficits. In this perspective review, we reported the last piece of evidence about this crucial topic which drastically affects the quality of life of these patients. Indeed, although patients may often not disclose their sexual concerns, literature demonstrates that they seek help concerning this issue. On the other side, clinicians working in the rehabilitation field are not always comfortable or prepared to deal with sexuality and sexual function in neurological patients. A new phase of the training course should be launched including different physicians, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, and social workers, to learn how to deal with topics related to sexuality. As a result, professional sexual counselors should now become a structured part of stroke settings and rehabilitation with new effective tools (i.e., PLISSIT model; TDF program) for improving quality of life.

Incidence, temporal profile and neuroanatomic correlates of poststroke epilepsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The relationship between ischemic stroke site and occurrence of poststroke epilepsy (PSE) is incompletely understood. This study intended to evaluate incidence and temporal profiles of seizures and to correlate ischemic lesion sites with PSE using voxel-based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM).

METHODS

Patients with imaging-confirmed first-ever ischemic stroke without prior history of epilepsy were prospectively included. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were assessed. Data on seizures and modified Rankin scale scores were determined within a 90-day period after stroke onset. Ischemic lesion sites were correlated voxel wise with occurrence of PSE using nonparametric permutation test. Age- and sex-matched patients with first-ever ischemic strokes without PSE after 90 days served as controls for the VLSM analysis.

RESULTS

The stroke database contained 809 patients (mean age: 68.4 ± 14.2 years) with first-ever imaging-confirmed ischemic strokes without history of epilep. Incidence of PSE after 90-day follow-up was 2.8%. Five additional patients were admitted to the emergency department with a seizure after 90-day follow-up. Fifty percent of the seizures occurred in the acute phase after stroke. PSE patients had higher NIHSS scores and infarct volumes compared to controls without PSE (p < .05). PSE patients had infarcts predominantly involving the cerebral cortex. The hemisphere-specific VLSM analysis shows associations between PSE and damaged voxels in the left-hemispheric temporo-occipital transition zone.

CONCLUSIONS

The data indicate that PSE occurs in a small proportion of patients with rather large ischemic strokes predominantly involving the cerebral cortex. Especially patients with ischemic lesions in the temporo-occipital cortex are vulnerable to develop PSE.

Posterior circulation ischemic stroke not involving the brainstem is associated with cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemic stroke may induce cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. Yet, most previous studies included patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke or brainstem stroke. It remains unclear whether posterior circulation ischemic stroke (PCIS) without brainstem involvement also compromises cardiovascular autonomic modulation (CAM). Therefore, we aimed to assess CAM in PCIS patients with and without brainstem involvement.

METHODS

In four subgroups of 61 PCIS-patients (14 occipital lobe, 16 thalamic, 12 cerebellar, and 19 brainstem strokes) and 30 healthy controls, we recorded RR-intervals (RRI), systolic, diastolic blood pressures (BPsys, BPdia), and respiration at supine rest during the first week after stroke-onset. We calculated parameters reflecting total CAM [RRI-standard-deviation (RRI-SD), RRI-total-powers], predominantly sympathetic CAM [RRI-low-frequency-powers (RRI-LF-powers) and BPsys-LF-powers] and parasympathetic CAM [Root-Mean-Square-of-Successive-RRI-Differences (RMSSD), RRI-high-frequency-powers (RRI-HF-powers)], sympathetic-parasympathetic balance (RRI-LF/HF-ratios), and baroreflex-sensitivity (BRS). Values were compared between the four PCIS-groups and controls using one-way ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis-tests, with post-hoc analyses. Significance was assumed for P<0.05.

RESULTS

In each PCIS-subgroup, values of RRI, RRI-SD, RMSSD, RRI-HF-powers, and BRS were significantly lower, while BPsys-LF-powers were higher than in the controls. Only in patients with occipital lobe stroke, RRI-LF/HF-ratios were significantly higher than in controls. Otherwise, autonomic parameters did not differ between the four PCIS-subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

During the first week after stroke-onset, our PCIS patients with occipital lobe, thalamic, cerebellar, or brainstem strokes all had reduced cardiovagal modulation, compromised baroreflex, and increased peripheral sympathetic modulation. The RRI-LF/HF-ratios suggest that sympathetic predominance is slightly more prominent after occipital lobe stroke. PCIS may trigger cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction even without brainstem involvement.

Poststroke Erectile Dysfunction in Cameroon: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Quality of Life

Background

Stroke is a severe disease due to its morbidity-mortality. It is the first cause of acquired disability including erectile dysfunction (ED). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ED in stroke patients at the Douala General Hospital, to identify associated factors and to evaluate their quality of life.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of seven months from November 2016 to May 2017 on two groups of patients in neurology, cardiology, and endocrinology units of the Douala General Hospital (Cameroon): stroke patients (stroke+) and nonstroke patients (stroke-). We collected sociodemographic and clinical data using a preestablished questionnaire. Erectile function was assessed using International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Associated and predictive factors were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results were significant for a p value < 0.05.

Results

A total of 269 patients were included, among them 87 stroke+ (32.34%) and 182 stroke- (67.66%) (controlled group). The mean age was 56.37 ± 12.89 years and 57.18 ± 10.24 years of stroke+ and stroke-, respectively (p = 0.608). Prevalence of poststroke ED was 64.4% (OR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.99-5.82, p < 0.001). The average time of occurrence of the poststroke ED was 5 ± 5.85 months. Diabetes and dyslipidemia were the predictive factors of occurrence of poststroke ED. Depression was found both in stroke+ with ED and stroke+ without ED with no difference (p = 0.131).

Conclusion

About two-thirds of stroke patients developed ED. Diabetes and dyslipidemia were predictive factors of ED in stroke patients.

The strange role of brain lesion size in cognitive neuropsychology

The size of brain lesions is a variable that is frequently considered in cognitive neuropsychology. In particular, lesion-deficit inference studies often control for lesion size, and the association of lesion size with post-stroke cognitive deficits and its predictive value are studied. In the present article, the role of lesion size in cognitive deficits and its computational or design-wise consideration is discussed and questioned. First, I argue that the commonly discussed role or effect of lesion size in cognitive deficits eludes us. A generally valid understanding of the causal relation of lesion size, lesion location, and cognitive deficits is unachievable. Second, founded on the theory of causal inference, I argue that lesion size control is no generally appropriate covariate control. Instead, it is identified as a procedure with only situational benefits, which is supported by empirical data. This theoretical background is used to suggest possible research practices in lesion-deficit inference, post-stroke outcome prediction, and behavioural studies. Last, control for lesion size is put into a bigger historical context - it is identified to relate to a long-known association problem in neuropsychology, which was previously discussed from the perspectives of a mislocalisation in lesion-deficit mapping and the symptom complex approach.

Significant Increase of Erectile Dysfunction in Men With Post-stroke: A Comprehensive Review

Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) are considered to be at risk from stroke events. Conversely, post-stroke patients are also at high risk of ED, whereas a quantitative result from all the relevant studies has not been previously addressed. Therefore, we have performed a comprehensive review and meta-analysis on this issue. This study was registered on PROSPERO (ID No. CRD42021226618). Twenty studies with a total of 3,382 stroke events were included, of which six studies were included for quantitative analysis, and the remaining 14 studies were calculated for the ratio of ED. Synthetic results from four eligible studies providing the ED cases showed that stroke patients were associated with a significantly higher risk of ED than the general population [pooled relative risk (RR) = 3.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25–8.82, P = 0.016]. Men with stroke were also found to be associated with a significant decline in International Index of Erectile Function −5 (IIEF-5) score as compared with the healthy controls [three studies, standard mean differences (SMD) = −1.8, 95% CI: −2.94 to −0.67, P = 0.002]. The prevalence of ED in post-stroke patients among 14 studies ranged from 32.1 to 77.8%, which was dramatically higher than that of the general population. The result of the GRADE-pro revealed that the quality of the evidence in this study was moderate. The present study has confirmed the high prevalence of ED in men with stroke. ED in stroke patients is a result of both neurological and psychological factors. Rehabilitative interventions rather than phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are recommended to improve the erectile function for those survivors with ED.

Assessment methods in sexual rehabilitation after stroke: a scoping review for rehabilitation professionals

PURPOSE

The aim was to identify and describe the assessment methods used by rehabilitation professionals to evaluate sexuality for individuals post-stroke, as well as the domains of sexuality addressed.

METHODS

Seven databases were selected for this scoping review. Articles needed to meet these inclusion criteria: published studies with a sample of ≥ 50% stroke clients and describing a quantitative or qualitative assessment method that could be used by rehabilitation professionals. This study was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and domains of sexuality were categorized using the ICF core set for stroke.

RESULTS

Of the 2447 articles reviewed, the 96 that met the selection criteria identified a total of 116 assessment methods classified as standardized assessment tools (n = 62), original questionnaires (n = 28), semi-structured interviews (n = 16) or structured interviews (n = 10). Sexual functions were predominantly assessed using standardized tools, while intimate relationships and partner's perspective were generally addressed more by original questionnaires and qualitative methods. A stepwise approach combining relevant assessment methods is presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Individually, these diverse assessment methods addressed a limited scope of relevant domains. Future research should combine quantitative and qualitative methods to encompass most domains of sexuality of concern to post-stroke individuals.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONMost of the studies reviewed here used quantitative methods to assess sexuality, rather than qualitative methods, and mostly used standardized assessment tools.Few assessment methods covered all domains related to sexuality.Qualitative methods and standardized assessment tools were shown to be complementary, therefore emphasizing the added value of mixed methods in assessing sexuality after a stroke.Among the methods that were reviewed, certain would be more suitable for the identification of the need to address sexuality (e.g., Life Satisfaction Checklist-11) and others to assess more thoroughly sexuality (e.g., Change in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14)).

Erectile dysfunction in common neurological conditions: A narrative review

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (NED) can be defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection due to central or peripheral neurologic disease. Neurologic diseases can also affect the physical ability and psychological status of the patient. All these factors may lead to a primary or secondary NED. Medication history plays an important role since there are many drugs commonly used in neurologic patients that can lead to ED. The assessment of NED in these patients is generally evolving with the application of evoked potentials technology in the test of somatic and autonomic nerves, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. With the electrophysiological examinations, neurogenic causes can be determined. These tools allow to categorize neurologic lesion and assess the patient prognosis. The first-line treatment for NED is phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Second-line treatments include intracavernous and intraurethral vasoactive injections. Third-line treatments are penile prostheses. The efficacy and safety of each treatment modality depend on the specific neurologic condition. This review discusses the physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of ED in multiple peripheral and central neurologic conditions, as well as for future research.

Acupuncture for erectile dysfunction in post-stroke patients: Study Protocol Clinical Trial (SPIRIT Compliant)

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction refers to the continued inability of the penis to reach and maintain sufficient erections to achieve a satisfactory sex life and last at least 6 months. As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been widely used in clinical practice. In order to evaluate, the exact effect of acupuncture on the clinical efficacy of patients with Post-stroke Erectile dysfunction (PSED), this experiment uses randomized controlled experiments.

METHODS/DESIGN

This pragmatic randomized controlled trial will recruit 103 patients who are diagnosed with PSED. Simple randomization to conventional treatment with a 1:1 allocation ratio will be used. Ten 30-min acupuncture sessions will be provided to patients assigned to the Intervention group. All participants will continue to receive conventional treatment. The selection of outcomes will be evaluated by International Erectile Function Index-5 (IIEF-5) score at week 8.

DISCUSSION

This trial may provide evidence regarding the clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for patients with PSED.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR2000030231, Registered on February 25, 2020.

Erectile dysfunction and associated risk factors in male patients with ischemic stroke: A cross-sectional study

Patients with ischemic stroke (IS) often suffered from the problem of erectile dysfunction (ED) and psychological disease. However, they are often ignored because these symptoms are more obvious in the convalescent stage of stroke, which affects the quality of sexual life of patients. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of ED, sexual quality of life, and mental state of patients after stroke, as well as analyze the relevant risk factors affecting their psychological status.A total of 361 IS patients were enrolled. The international erectile function index-5 scale was used to diagnose ED. Accordingly, the patients were divided into ED group and non-ED group. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the brain lesions of patients. We assessed neurological deficits by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and general anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to evaluate the depression and anxiety. The differences between the ED group and the non-ED group clinical factors were compared.The response rate was 88.6% (n = 320), and more than two-thirds of patients reported ED (77.8%). Patients with ED had higher PHQ-9 (8.40 ± 4.18 vs 4.94 ± 3.73, P < .01) and GAD-7 (6.73 ± 3.56 vs 4.51 ± 3.35, P < .01) scores, were more likely to have the frontal lobe (75.1% vs 49.3%, P < .01) and lateral ventricle (69.8% vs 53.5%, P = .01) lesions, with hypertension (75.1% vs 46.5%, P < .01) and hyperlipidemia (48.2% vs 25.4%), and on antihypertensive (67.9% vs 35.25, P < .01) and hypolipidemic drug (43.4% vs 16.9%, P < .01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that antihypertensive drug (odds ratio [OR]: 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-6.10, P = .04), depression (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06-1.32, P < .01) and anxiety (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27, P = .04) might be the independent risk factors for ED group.ED is more common in male IS patients. Antihypertensive drug, depression and anxiety are the main factors affecting ED.

The new insights into human brain imaging after stroke

Over the last two decades, developments of human brain stroke imaging have raised several questions about the place of new MRI biomarkers in the acute management of stroke and the prediction of poststroke outcome. Recent studies have demonstrated the main role of perfusion-weighted imaging in the identification of the best cerebral perfusion profile for a better response after reperfusion therapies in acute ischemic stroke. A major issue remains the early prediction of stroke outcome. While voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping emphasized the influence of stroke location, the analysis of the brain parenchyma underpinning the stroke lesion showed the relevance of prestroke cerebral status, including cortical atrophy, white matter integrity, or presence of chronic cortical cerebral microinfarcts. Moreover, besides the evaluation of the visually abnormal brain tissue, the analysis of normal-appearing brain parenchyma using diffusion tensor imaging and magnetization transfer imaging or spectroscopy offered new biomarkers to improve the prediction of the prognosis and new targets to follow in therapeutic trials. The aim of this review was to depict the main new radiological biomarkers reported in the last two decades that will provide a more thorough prediction of functional, motor, and neuropsychological outcome following the stroke. These new developments in neuroimaging might be a cornerstone in the emerging personalized medicine for stroke patients.

Cerebral lesion correlates of sympathetic cardiovascular activation in multiple sclerosis

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and contributes significantly to disability. We hypothesized that cerebral MS‐lesions in specific areas of the central autonomic network might account for imbalance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiovascular modulation. Therefore, we used voxel‐based lesion symptom mapping (VLSM) to determine associations between cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and cerebral MS‐related lesion sites. In 74 MS‐patients (mean age 37.0 ± 10.5 years), we recorded electrocardiographic RR‐intervals and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Using trigonometric regressive spectral analysis, we assessed low (0.04–0.15 Hz) and high (0.15–0.5 Hz) frequency RR‐interval‐and blood pressure‐oscillations and determined parasympathetically mediated RR‐interval–high‐frequency modulation, mainly sympathetically mediated RR‐interval–low‐frequency modulation, sympathetically mediated blood pressure‐low‐frequency modulation, and the ratios of sympathetic and parasympathetic RR‐interval‐modulation as an index of sympathetic‐parasympathetic balance. Cerebral MS‐lesions were analyzed on imaging scans. We performed a VLSM‐analysis correlating parameters of autonomic dysfunction with cerebral MS‐lesion sites. The VLSM‐analysis showed associations between increased RR‐interval low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratios and lesions most prominently in the left insular, hippocampal, and right frontal inferior opercular region, and a smaller lesion cluster in the right middle cerebellar peduncle. Increased blood pressure‐low‐frequency powers were associated with lesions primarily in the right posterior parietal white matter and again left insular region. Our data indicate associations between a shift of cardiovascular sympathetic‐parasympathetic balance toward increased sympathetic modulation and left insular and hippocampal lesions, areas of the central autonomic network. The VLSM‐analysis further distinguished between right inferior fronto‐opercular lesions disinhibiting cardiac sympathetic activation and right posterior parietal lesions increasing sympathetic blood pressure modulation.

Positive Correlation between Left Hemisphere Lesion and Erectile Dysfunction in Post-Stroke Patients

BACKGROUND:

Stroke is a serious health condition and the leading cause of disability, including erectile dysfunction (ED). The mechanisms and factors that predict ED in stroke are not fully elucidated. Several studies have shown a relationship between the location of the lesion in stroke with the onset of ED. The left hemispheric lesion was believed to disrupt the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for the regulation of erection. Stroke attack in this region therefore can be the underlying reason for ED. However, there are still contradictory findings in this area, and very few studies attempted to look at this problem, particularly among Asian male.

AIM:

We would like to evaluate the association between left hemisphere lesion after ischemic stroke and the subsequent risk of developing ED.

METHODS:

The study was conducted in the neurology polyclinic of Sanglah and Wangaya Hospital from February to August 2013. Subjects are all post-stroke patients who visited the neurology polyclinic of Sanglah and Wangaya Hospital that met inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS:

There is a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between left hemisphere lesions and ED in stroke patients with a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.361 which means weak correlation and p = 0.032.

CONCLUSION:

Left hemisphere lesions positively correlated with ED in stroke patients. Further longitudinal research is needed to see whether left hemisphere lesion in post-stroke patients is a risk factor for ED.

Brain MRI Lesions are Related to Bowel Incontinence in Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Bowel incontinence in multiple sclerosis might be associated with specific lesion sites. This study intended to determine associations between bowel incontinence and cerebral multiple sclerosis lesions using a voxel-wise lesion symptom mapping analysis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of multiple sclerosis patients with self-reported bowel incontinence and matched controls. Lesions were manually outlined on T2-weighted MRI scans and transformed into stereotaxic space. We performed a voxel-wise subtraction analysis subtracting the lesion overlap of patients without from patients with bowel incontinence. Finally, we compared the absence or presence of bowel incontinence between patients with and without lesions in a given voxel using the Liebermeister test.

RESULTS

A total of 51 patients were included in the study. The analysis yielded associations between bowel incontinence and lesions in the supramarginal gyrus of the left secondary somatosensory cortex and another lesion cluster in the right parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis indicates associations between bowel incontinence and lesions in the left supramarginal gyral area contributing to integrating anorectal-visceral sensation and in the right parahippocampal gyrus and amygdala contributing to generating visceral autonomic arousal states. Moreover, our results suggest left hemispheric dominance of sensory visceral integration, while limbic areas of the right hemisphere seem to contribute to the autonomic component of the defecation process. A limitation of our study is the retrospective evaluation of the bowel incontinence status based on medical records. Further research should evaluate the bowel incontinence status in multiple sclerosis patients prospectively to overcome the limitations of the current study.

Distortion of Visuo-Motor Temporal Integration in Apraxia: Evidence From Delayed Visual Feedback Detection Tasks and Voxel-Based Lesion-Symptom Mapping

Limb apraxia is a higher brain dysfunction that typically occurs after left hemispheric stroke and its cause cannot be explained by sensory disturbance or motor paralysis. The comparison of motor signals and visual feedback to generate errors, i.e., visuo-motor integration, is important in motor control and motor learning, which may be impaired in apraxia. However, in apraxia after stroke, it is unknown whether there is a specific deficit in visuo-motor temporal integration compared to visuo-tactile and visuo-proprioceptive temporal integration. We examined the precision of visuo-motor temporal integration and sensory-sensory (visuo-tactile and visuo-proprioception) temporal integration in apraxia after stroke by using a delayed visual feedback detection task with three different conditions (tactile, passive movement, and active movement). The delay detection threshold and the probability curve for delay detection obtained in this task were quantitative indicators of the respective temporal integration functions. In addition, we performed subtraction and voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping to identify the brain lesions responsible for apraxia and deficits in visuo-motor temporal integration. The behavioral experiments showed that the delay detection threshold was extended and that the probability curve for delay detection was less steep in apraxic patients compared to controls (pseudo-apraxic patients and unaffected patients), only for the active movement condition, and not for the tactile and passive movement conditions. Furthermore, the severity of apraxia was significantly correlated with the delay detection threshold and the steepness of the probability curve in the active movement condition. These results indicated that multisensory (i.e., visual, tactile, and proprioception) feedback was normally temporally integrated, but motor prediction and visual feedback were not correctly temporally integrated in apraxic patients. That is, apraxic patients had difficulties with visuo-motor temporal integration. Lesion analyses revealed that both apraxia and the distortion of visuo-motor temporal integration were associated with lesions in the fronto-parietal motor network, including the left inferior parietal lobule and left inferior frontal gyrus. We suppose that damage to the left inferior fronto-parietal network could cause deficits in motor prediction for visuo-motor temporal integration, but not for sensory-sensory (visuo-tactile and visuo-proprioception) temporal integration, leading to the distortion of visuo-motor temporal integration in patients with apraxia.

Insular multiple sclerosis lesions are associated with erectile dysfunction

Erectile function (EF) is frequently compromised in men with multiple sclerosis (MS). Functional neuroimaging in healthy men identified a network of brain areas, such as the insula, visual and somatosensory association areas, cingulate gyrus, prefrontal cortex, as well as subcortical regions, contributing to EF. This study intended to determine associations between EF deterioration during MS and cerebral MS-associated lesion sites. In 31 men with MS (mean age 38.2 ± 11.2 years), we evaluated MS-related EF deterioration by comparing scores of the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire (IIEF5) at the time of study and retrospectively, 3 months prior to MS diagnosis, by calculating score differences as DeltaIIEF5 (DeltaIIEF5 score < 0 indicated EF deterioration). To assess the impact of confounding factors of EF, patient age, disease duration, disease severity, depressiveness, bladder and bowel symptoms, and total cerebral MS lesion volume were correlated with DeltaIIEF5 scores (Spearman rank correlation) and compared between patients with and without EF deterioration (t tests or Mann-Whitney U test). MS lesions were assessed on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 1.5 or 3 T). We determined the lesion overlap (prevalence of identical lesion sites among patients), subtracted lesion overlaps in patients without EF deterioration from overlaps in patients with EF deterioration, and compared DeltaIIEF5 scores voxel-wise between patients with and without lesions in a given voxel (t test; significance: p < 0.05). In 14 patients (45.2%), DeltaIIEF5 scores indicated EF deterioration. DeltaIIEF5 scores were not associated with age (ρ = 0.06; p = 0.74), disease duration (ρ = 0.26; p = 0.15), disease severity (ρ = - 0.19; p = 0.31), depressiveness (ρ = 0.07; p = 0.72), bladder symptoms (ρ = - 0.11; p = 0.57), bowel symptoms (ρ = 0.17; p = 0.37), and total lesion volume (ρ = - 0.13; p = 0.47). The voxel-wise analysis showed associations between EF deterioration and MS lesions primarily in the bilateral, and predominantly left juxtacortical insular region. In conclusion, MS lesions particularly in the left insular region, which is activated with sexual arousal, contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Supratentorial lesions contribute to trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis

Background

It has been proposed that multiple sclerosis lesions afflicting the pontine trigeminal afferents contribute to trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis. So far, there are no imaging studies that have evaluated interactions between supratentorial lesions and trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study and sought multiple sclerosis patients with trigeminal neuralgia and controls in a local database. Multiple sclerosis lesions were manually outlined and transformed into stereotaxic space. We determined the lesion overlap and performed a voxel-wise subtraction analysis. Secondly, we conducted a voxel-wise non-parametric analysis using the Liebermeister test.

Results

From 12,210 multiple sclerosis patient records screened, we identified 41 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The voxel-wise subtraction analysis yielded associations between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis lesions in the pontine trigeminal afferents, as well as larger supratentorial lesion clusters in the contralateral insula and hippocampus. The non-parametric statistical analysis using the Liebermeister test yielded similar areas to be associated with multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia.

Conclusions

Our study confirms previous data on associations between multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia and pontine lesions, and showed for the first time an association with lesions in the insular region, a region involved in pain processing and endogenous pain modulation.