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Cooper AC, Tchernykh M, Shmuel A, Mendola JD. Diffusion tensor imaging of optic neuropathies: a narrative review. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2024; 14:1086-1107. [PMID: 38223128 PMCID: PMC10784057 DOI: 10.21037/qims-23-779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objective Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been implemented in a breadth of scientific investigations of optic neuropathies, though it has yet to be fully adopted for diagnosis or prognosis. This is potentially due to a lack of standardization and weak replication of results. The aim of this investigation was to review DTI results from studies specific to three distinct optic neuropathies in order to probe its current clinical utility. Methods We reviewed the DTI literature specific to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), optic neuritis (ON), and traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) by systematically searching the PubMed database on March 1st, 2023. Four distinct DTI metrics are considered: fractional anisotropy (FA), along with mean diffusivity (MD, axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Results from within-group, between-group, and correlational studies were thoroughly assessed. Key Content and Findings POAG studies most consistently report a decrease in FA, especially in the optic radiations, followed in prevalence by an increase in RD and then MD, whilst AD yields conflicting results between studies. It is notable that there is not an equal distribution of investigated DTI metrics, with FA utilized the most, followed by MD, RD, and AD. Studies of ON are similar in that the most consistent findings are specific to FA, RD, and MD. These results are specific to the optic nerve and radiation since only one study measured the intermediary regions. More studies are needed to assess the effect that ON has on the tracts of the visual system. Finally, only three studies assessing DTI of TON have been performed to date, displaying low to moderate replicability of results. To improve the level of agreement between studies assessing each optic neuropathy, an increased level of standardization is recommended. Conclusions Both POAG and ON studies have yielded some prevalent DTI findings, both for contrast and correlation-based assessments. Although the clinical need is high for TON, considering the limitations of the current diagnostic tools, too few studies exist to make confident conclusions. Future use of standardized and longitudinal DTI, along with the foreseen methodological and technical improvements, is warranted to effectively study optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C. Cooper
- McGill Vision Research and Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxim Tchernykh
- McGill Vision Research and Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Amir Shmuel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Departments of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Janine D. Mendola
- McGill Vision Research and Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Tan JK, Xiao Y, Liu G, Huang LX, Ma WH, Xia Y, Wang XZ, Zhu XJ, Cai SP, Wu XB, Wang Y, Liu XY. Evaluation of trabecular meshwork-specific promoters in vitro and in vivo using scAAV2 vectors expressing C3 transferase. Int J Ophthalmol 2023; 16:1196-1209. [PMID: 37602341 PMCID: PMC10398517 DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2023.08.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the potential of two trabecular meshwork (TM)-specific promoters, Chitinase 3-like 1 (Ch3L1) and matrix gla protein (MGP), for improving specificity and safety in glaucoma gene therapy based on self-complementary AAV2 (scAAV2) vector technologies. METHODS An scAAV2 vector with C3 transferase (C3) as the reporter gene (scAAV2-C3) was selected. The scAAV2-C3 vectors were driven by Ch3L1 (scAAV2-Ch3L1-C3), MGP (scAAV2-MGP-C3), enhanced MGP (scAAV2-eMGP-C3) and cytomegalovirus (scAAV2-CMV-C3), respectively. The cultured primary human TM cells were treated with each vector at different multiplicities of infections. Changes in cell morphology were observed by phase contrast microscopy. Actin stress fibers and Rho GTPases/Rho-associated protein kinase pathway-related molecules were assessed by immunofluorescence staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Each vector was injected intracamerally into the one eye of each rat at low and high doses respectively. In vivo green fluorescence was visualized by a Micron III Retinal Imaging Microscope. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored using a rebound tonometer. Ocular responses were evaluated by slit-lamp microscopy. Ocular histopathology analysis was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS In TM cell culture studies, the vector-mediated C3 expression induced morphologic changes, disruption of actin cytoskeleton and reduction of fibronectin expression in TM cells by inhibiting the Rho GTPases/Rho-associated protein kinase signaling pathway. At the same dose, these changes were significant in TM cells treated with scAAV2-CMV-C3 or scAAV2-Ch3L1-C3, but not in cells treated with scAAV2-eMGP-C3 or scAAV2-MGP-C3. At low-injected dose, the IOP was significantly decreased in the scAAV2-Ch3L1-C3-injected eyes but not in scAAV2-MGP-C3-injected and scAAV2-eMGP-C3-injected eyes. At high-injected dose, significant IOP reduction was observed in the scAAV2-eMGP-C3-injected eyes but not in scAAV2-MGP-C3-injected eyes. Similar to scAAV2-CMV-C3, scAAV2-Ch3L1-C3 vector showed efficient transduction both in the TM and corneal endothelium. In anterior segment tissues of scAAV2-eMGP-C3-injected eyes, no obvious morphological changes were found except for the TM. Inflammation was absent. CONCLUSION In scAAV2-transduced TM cells, the promoter-driven efficiency of Ch3L1 is close to that of cytomegalovirus, but obviously higher than that of MGP. In the anterior chamber of rat eye, the transgene expression pattern of scAAV2 vector is presumably affected by MGP promoter, but not by Ch3L1 promoter. These findings would provide a useful reference for improvement of specificity and safety in glaucoma gene therapy using scAAV2 vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Kai Tan
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610032, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guo Liu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Long-Xiang Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China
| | - Wen-Hao Ma
- Beijing FivePlus Molecular Medicine Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing 102600, China
| | - Yan Xia
- Beijing FivePlus Molecular Medicine Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing 102600, China
| | - Xi-Zhen Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, School of Optometry, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518040, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xian-Jun Zhu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Su-Ping Cai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, School of Optometry, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518040, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Wu
- Beijing FivePlus Molecular Medicine Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing 102600, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Eye Hospital, School of Optometry, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518040, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xu-Yang Liu
- Xiamen Eye Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, the 2 Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, China
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Liu P, Luo B, Chen L, Wang QX, Zhai LH, Wu HY, Zhao YL, Yuan G, Jiang GH, Zhang J. Preliminary Diffusion-Tensor Imaging Evidence for Trans-Synaptic Axonal Degeneration in Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy Due to Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 57:834-844. [PMID: 35864716 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism driving dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is unclear. Diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) allows for noninvasively assessing the microstructure of the entire visual pathway and may facilitate a better understanding of the mechanism of DON. PURPOSE To assess microstructural changes of the whole visual pathway and to investigate the potential mechanism of trans-synaptic damage(TSD) pathogenesis in DON with DTI. STUDY TYPE Cross-sectional. POPULATION Sixty-four patients with bilateral thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), 30 with and 34 without DON, and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3 T/DTI (A single-shot diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging sequence). ASSESSMENT Differences in DTI parameters including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) in each segment (optic nerve, tract, and radiation) of the entire visual pathway among the groups were compared. The parameters of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), visual field tests, and mean retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL) thickness on optical coherence tomography were also compared across patients. STATISTICAL TESTS Student's t-test, chi-square test; ANOVA with post-hoc testing, interclass correlation coefficient, and correlation analysis. Significance level: P < 0.05. RESULTS TAO patients with DON showed significantly reduced mRNFL thickness and abnormal VEPs. There was a tendency for gradually reduced FA and AD, and increased RD and MD from HCs, with non-DON to with DON in optic nerve and tract, statistically. For radiation, the RD and MD showed statistical increase, the AD and FA just showed numerical decrease (P = 0.119 and 0.059, respectively). For DON, the FA and MD of visual pathway segments showed correlations with abnormal VEPs. DATA CONCLUSION DTI may be a useful tool for detecting microstructural changes in the entire visual pathway in DON. The changes in RNFL thickness and DTI parameters suggested TSD as a potential pathogenic mechanism of DON. EVIDENCE LEVEL 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ban Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lang Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lin-Han Zhai
- Department of Radiology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, China
| | - Hong-Yu Wu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ya-Li Zhao
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Gang Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Gui-Hua Jiang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Wang J, Zhang Y, Meng X, Liu G. Application of diffusion tensor imaging technology in glaucoma diagnosis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1125638. [PMID: 36816120 PMCID: PMC9932933 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1125638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is the first major category of irreversible blinding eye illnesses worldwide. Its leading cause is the death of retinal ganglion cells and their axons, which results in the loss of vision. Research indicates that glaucoma affects the optic nerve and the whole visual pathway. It also reveals that degenerative lesions caused by glaucoma can be found outside the visual pathway. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can investigate the complete visual system, including alterations in the optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, lateral geniculate nuclear, and optic radiation. In order to provide a more solid foundation for the degenerative characteristics of glaucoma, this paper will discuss the standard diagnostic techniques for glaucoma through a review of the literature, describe the use of DTI technology in glaucoma in humans and animal models, and introduce these techniques. With the advancement of DTI technology and its coupling with artificial intelligence, DTI represents a potential future for MRI technology in glaucoma research.
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Ma D, Pasquale LR, Girard MJA, Leung CKS, Jia Y, Sarunic MV, Sappington RM, Chan KC. Reverse translation of artificial intelligence in glaucoma: Connecting basic science with clinical applications. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 2:1057896. [PMID: 36866233 PMCID: PMC9976697 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2022.1057896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been approved for biomedical research in diverse areas from bedside clinical studies to benchtop basic scientific research. For ophthalmic research, in particular glaucoma, AI applications are rapidly growing for potential clinical translation given the vast data available and the introduction of federated learning. Conversely, AI for basic science remains limited despite its useful power in providing mechanistic insight. In this perspective, we discuss recent progress, opportunities, and challenges in the application of AI in glaucoma for scientific discoveries. Specifically, we focus on the research paradigm of reverse translation, in which clinical data are first used for patient-centered hypothesis generation followed by transitioning into basic science studies for hypothesis validation. We elaborate on several distinctive areas of research opportunities for reverse translation of AI in glaucoma including disease risk and progression prediction, pathology characterization, and sub-phenotype identification. We conclude with current challenges and future opportunities for AI research in basic science for glaucoma such as inter-species diversity, AI model generalizability and explainability, as well as AI applications using advanced ocular imaging and genomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Ma
- School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Louis R. Pasquale
- Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michaël J. A. Girard
- Ophthalmic Engineering & Innovation Laboratory (OEIL), Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Yali Jia
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Marinko V. Sarunic
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca M. Sappington
- School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Kevin C. Chan
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Radiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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Li R, Li J, Wang Z. Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: Using diffusion tensor imaging to evaluate visual pathway microstructural changes. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1025666. [DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1025666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether the visual pathway is affected by thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) before the development of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).Materials and methodsFifty-seven TAO patients (22 mild, 35 moderate-severe TAO) and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were included. The DTI parameters of the lateral geniculate (LG) and optic radiation (OR) were measured. A full ophthalmic examination such as intraocular pressure, exophthalmos, and visual acuity was performed. Clinical activity scores (CAS) were also calculated. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were carried out. A binary logistic regression was used to identify variables that can diagnose TAO.ResultsModerate-severe TAO patients showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD) than HCs for both LG and OR (p < 0.05). FA of OR was negatively correlated with CAS and intraocular pressure (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that FA of LG and FA of OR were a significant predictor for the diagnosis TAO.ConclusionDiffusion tensor imaging parameters of the visual pathway were significantly altered in moderate-severe TAO patients. The FA of LG, in particular, can be used as a sensitive imaging biomarker for assessing subclinical visual pathway damage in TAO.
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Chen RB, Zhong YL, Liu H, Huang X. Machine learning analysis reveals abnormal functional network hubs in the primary angle-closure glaucoma patients. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:935213. [PMID: 36092649 PMCID: PMC9450012 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.935213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) is a serious and irreversible blinding eye disease. Growing studies demonstrated that PACG patients were accompanied by vision and vision-related brain region changes. However, whether the whole-brain functional network hub changes occur in PACG patients remains unknown. Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the brain function network hub changes in PACG patients using the voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) method. Materials and methods Thirty-one PACG patients (21 male and 10 female) and 31 healthy controls (HCs) (21 male and 10 female) closely matched in age, sex, and education were enrolled in the study. The DC method was applied to investigate the brain function network hub changes in PACG patients. Moreover, the support vector machine (SVM) method was applied to distinguish PACG patients from HC patients. Results Compared with HC, PACG patients had significantly higher DC values in the right fusiform, left middle temporal gyrus, and left cerebelum_4_5. Meanwhile, PACG patients had significantly lower DC values in the right calcarine, right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus gyrus, and left postcentral gyrus. Furthermore, the SVM classification reaches a total accuracy of 72.58%, and the ROC curve of the SVM classifier has an AUC value of 0.85 (r = 0.25). Conclusion Our results showed that PACG patients showed widespread brain functional network hub dysfunction relative to the visual network, auditory network, default mode network, and cerebellum network, which might shed new light on the neural mechanism of optic atrophy in PACG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri-Bo Chen
- Department of Radiology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Xin Huang,
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Animal Model Contributions to Primary Congenital Glaucoma. J Ophthalmol 2022; 2022:6955461. [PMID: 35663518 PMCID: PMC9162845 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6955461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is an ocular disease characterized by congenital anterior segmental maldevelopment with progressive optic nerve degeneration. Certain genes, such as cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily B member 1 and latent TGF-β-binding protein 2, are involved in the pathogenesis of PCG, but the exact pathogenic mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. There is an urgent need to determine the etiology and pathophysiology of PCG and develop new therapeutic methods to stop disease progression. Animal models can simulate PCG and are essential to study the pathogenesis and treatment of PCG. Various animal species have been used in the study of PCG, including rabbits, rats, mice, cats, zebrafish, and quails. These models are formed spontaneously or by combining with genetic engineering technology. The focus of the present study is to review the characteristics and potential applications of animal models in PCG and provide new approaches to understand the mechanism and develop new treatment strategies for patients with PCG.
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Mendoza M, Shotbolt M, Faiq MA, Parra C, Chan KC. Advanced Diffusion MRI of the Visual System in Glaucoma: From Experimental Animal Models to Humans. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030454. [PMID: 35336827 PMCID: PMC8945790 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary This review summarizes current applications of advanced diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) throughout the glaucomatous visual system, focusing on the eye, optic nerve, optic tract, subcortical visual brain nuclei, optic radiations, and visual cortex. Glaucoma continues to be the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and often remains undetected until later disease stages. The development of non-invasive methods for early detection of visual pathway integrity could pave the way for timely intervention and targeted treatment strategies. Principles of diffusion have been integrated with MRI protocols to produce a diffusion-weighted imaging modality for studying changes to tissue microstructures by quantifying the movement of water molecules in vivo. The development and applications of diffusion MRI in ophthalmology have allowed a better understanding of neural pathway changes in glaucoma. The feasibility of translating diffusion MRI techniques to assess both humans and experimental animal models of glaucoma and other optic neuropathies or neurodegenerative diseases is discussed. Recent research focuses on overcoming limitations in imaging quality, acquisition times, and biological interpretation suggest that diffusion MRI can provide an important tool for the non-invasive evaluation of glaucomatous changes in the visual system. Abstract Glaucoma is a group of ophthalmologic conditions characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death, optic nerve degeneration, and irreversible vision loss. While intraocular pressure is the only clinically modifiable risk factor, glaucoma may continue to progress at controlled intraocular pressure, indicating other major factors in contributing to the disease mechanisms. Recent studies demonstrated the feasibility of advanced diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) in visualizing the microstructural integrity of the visual system, opening new possibilities for non-invasive characterization of glaucomatous brain changes for guiding earlier and targeted intervention besides intraocular pressure lowering. In this review, we discuss dMRI methods currently used in visual system investigations, focusing on the eye, optic nerve, optic tract, subcortical visual brain nuclei, optic radiations, and visual cortex. We evaluate how conventional diffusion tensor imaging, higher-order diffusion kurtosis imaging, and other extended dMRI techniques can assess the neuronal and glial integrity of the visual system in both humans and experimental animal models of glaucoma, among other optic neuropathies or neurodegenerative diseases. We also compare the pros and cons of these methods against other imaging modalities. A growing body of dMRI research indicates that this modality holds promise in characterizing early glaucomatous changes in the visual system, determining the disease severity, and identifying potential neurotherapeutic targets, offering more options to slow glaucoma progression and to reduce the prevalence of this world’s leading cause of irreversible but preventable blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Mendoza
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY 11201, USA; (M.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Max Shotbolt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY 11201, USA; (M.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Muneeb A. Faiq
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY 10017, USA; (M.A.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Carlos Parra
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY 10017, USA; (M.A.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Kevin C. Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, New York, NY 11201, USA; (M.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY 10017, USA; (M.A.F.); (C.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence:
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Rui L, Jing L, Zhenchang W. Diffusion Tensor Imaging Technology to Quantitatively Assess Abnormal Changes in Patients With Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:805945. [PMID: 35185495 PMCID: PMC8855114 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.805945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We aim to investigate the feasibility of using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate changes in extraocular muscles (EOMs) and lacrimal gland (LG) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and to evaluate disease severity. Materials and Methods A total of 74 participants, including 17 healthy controls (HCs), 22 patients with mild TAO, and 35 patients with moderate-severe TAO, underwent 3-Tesla DTI to measure fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of the EOMs and LG. Ophthalmological examinations, including visual acuity, exophthalmos, intraocular pressure, and fundoscopy, were performed. FA and MD values were compared among patients with different disease severity. Multiple linear regression was adopted to predict the impact of clinical variables on DTI parameters of orbital soft tissue. Results TAO patients’ EOMs and LG showed significantly lower FA values and higher MD compared to HCs’ (P < 0.05). Moderate-severe TAO patients’ EOMs and LG had dramatically lower FA and higher MD compared with HCs (P < 0.05). In addition, only the DTI parameters of the medial rectus were considerably different between mild and moderate-severe TAO patients (P = 0.017, P = 0.021). Multiple linear regression showed that disease severity had a significant impact on the DTI parameters of orbital soft tissue. Conclusion DTI is a useful tool for detecting microstructural changes in TAO patients’ orbital soft tissue. DTI findings, especially medial rectus DTI parameters, can help to indicate the disease severity in TAO patients.
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