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Feldmann J, Martin P, Bender B, Laugwitz L, Zizmare L, Trautwein C, Krägeloh-Mann I, Klose U, Groeschel S. MR-spectroscopy in metachromatic leukodystrophy: A model free approach and clinical correlation. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103296. [PMID: 36563646 PMCID: PMC9800432 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal enzyme deficiency disorder leading to demyelination and subsequently to a progressive decline in cognitive and motor function. It affects mainly white matter where changes during the course of the disease can be visualized on T2-weighted MRI as hyperintense areas. Associated changes in brain metabolism can be quantified by MR spectroscopy (MRS) and may give complementary information as biomarkers for disease characterisation and progression. Our study aimed to further investigate the correlation of MRS with clinical parameters for motor and cognitive function by using a model free MRS analysis approach that would be precise and straightforward to implement. MATERIALS AND METHODS 53 MRS datasets derived from 29 patients (10 late-infantile, 19 juvenile) and 12 controls were acquired using a semi-LASER CSI sequence covering a slice through the centrum semiovale above the corpus callosum. We defined four regions of interest in the white matter (frontal white matter [FWM] and the cortico-spinal tract [CST] area, each left and right) and one in cortical grey matter. Spectra were analysed using a model and fitting free approach by calculating the definite integral of 10 intervals which were distributed along the whole spectrum. These 10 intervals were orientated towards the main peaks of the metabolites N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine, myo-inositol, choline, glutamine/glutamate and aspartate to approximately attribute changes in the intervals to corresponding metabolites. Their ratios to the main creatine peak integral were correlated with clinical parameters assessing motor and cognitive abilities. Furthermore, in a post-hoc analysis, NAA levels of a subset of 21 MR datasets were correlated to NAA levels in urine measured by 1H (proton) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The applied interval integration method was validated in the control cohort against the standard approach, using spectral profile templates of known metabolites (LCModel). Both methods showed good agreement, with coefficients of variance being slightly lower for our approach compared to the related LCModel results. Moreover, the new approach was able to extract information out of the frequency range around the main peaks of aspartate and glutamine where LCModel showed only few usable values for the respective metabolites. RESULTS MLD spectra clearly differed from controls. The most pronounced differences were found in white matter (much less in grey matter), with larger values corresponding to main peaks of myo-inositol, choline and aspartate, and smaller values associated with NAA and glutamine. Late-infantile patients had more severe changes compared to later-onset patients, especially in intervals corresponding to NAA, aspartate, myo-inositol, choline and glutamine. There was a high correlation of several intervals in the corticospinal tract region with motor function (with the most relevant interval corresponding to NAA peak with a correlation coefficient of -0.75; p < 0.001), while cognitive function, by means of IQ, was found to be most correlating in frontal white matter corresponding to the NAA peak (r = 0.84, p < 0.001). The post-hoc analysis showed that the main NAA peak interval correlated negatively with the NAA in urine (r = -0.584, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The applied model and fitting free interval integration approach to analyse MRS data of a semi-LASER sequence at 3T suits well to detect and quantify pathological changes in MLD patients through the different courses of the disease and correlates well with clinical symptoms while showing smaller dimensions of variation compared to the more sophisticated single metabolite analysis using LCModel. NAA seems the most clinically meaningful biomarker to use in this context. Its correlation with urine measurements further underlines its potential as a clinically and biologically useful parameter of disease progression in MLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Feldmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Pascal Martin
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Bender
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lucia Laugwitz
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laimdota Zizmare
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Trautwein
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ingeborg Krägeloh-Mann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Uwe Klose
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Ravi K, Paidas MJ, Saad A, Jayakumar AR. Astrocytes in rare neurological conditions: Morphological and functional considerations. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:2676-2705. [PMID: 33496339 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes are a population of central nervous system (CNS) cells with distinctive morphological and functional characteristics that differ within specific areas of the brain and are widely distributed throughout the CNS. There are mainly two types of astrocytes, protoplasmic and fibrous, which differ in morphologic appearance and location. Astrocytes are important cells of the CNS that not only provide structural support, but also modulate synaptic activity, regulate neuroinflammatory responses, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and supply energy to neurons. As a result, astrocytic disruption can lead to widespread detrimental effects and can contribute to the pathophysiology of several neurological conditions. The characteristics of astrocytes in more common neuropathologies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease have significantly been described and continue to be widely studied. However, there still exist numerous rare neurological conditions in which astrocytic involvement is unknown and needs to be explored. Accordingly, this review will summarize functional and morphological changes of astrocytes in various rare neurological conditions based on current knowledge thus far and highlight remaining neuropathologies where astrocytic involvement has yet to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Ravi
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael J Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ali Saad
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Arumugam R Jayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.,South Florida VA Foundation for Research and Education Inc, Miami, Florida, USA.,General Medical Research Neuropathology Section, R&D Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, Miami, Florida, USA
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Aksoy DÖ, Alkan A. Neurometabolic Diseases in Children: Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Features. Curr Med Imaging 2020; 15:255-268. [PMID: 31989877 DOI: 10.2174/1573405613666171123152451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurometabolic diseases are a group of diseases secondary to disorders in different metabolic pathways, which lead to white and/or gray matter of the brain involvement. DISCUSSION Neurometabolic disorders are divided in two groups as dysmyelinating and demyelinating diseases. Because of wide spectrum of these disorders, there are many different classifications of neurometabolic diseases. We used the classification according to brain involvement areas. In radiological evaluation, MRI provides useful information for these disseases. CONCLUSION Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) provides additional metabolic information for diagnosis and follow ups in childhood with neurometabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alpay Alkan
- Department of Radiology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Raina A, Nair SS, Nagesh C, Thomas B, Nair M, Sundaram S. Electroneurography and Advanced Neuroimaging Profile in Pediatric-onset Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. J Pediatr Neurosci 2019; 14:70-75. [PMID: 31516623 PMCID: PMC6712919 DOI: 10.4103/jpn.jpn_155_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by demyelination of central and peripheral nervous system. There is scarcity of literature on the electrophysiological aspects of peripheral nerves and the advanced neuroimaging findings in MLD. Aim The aim was to study the nerve conduction parameters and advanced neuroimaging findings in patients with MLD. Materials and Methods This study is a retrospective analysis conducted, between 2005 and 2016, of 12 patients who had biochemical, histopathological, or genetic confirmation of MLD and disease onset before 18 years of age. The clinical, electroneurography, and the advanced neuroimaging findings were reviewed and analyzed. Statistical Analysis The data were presented as percentages or mean ± standard deviation as defined appropriate for qualitative and quantitative variables. Results Mean age of onset was 4.84 (±4.60) years and seven patients were males. Eight patients had juvenile MLD and four had late infantile MLD. Clinical presentation of psychomotor regression was more common in infantile MLD (75%), whereas gait difficulty (62.5%) and cognitive impairment (37.5%) were more frequent in juvenile MLD. Nerve conduction study (NCS) revealed diffuse demyelinating sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy in 9 (75%) patients. One patient had a rare presentation with conduction blocks in multiple nerves with contrast enhancement of cauda equina. Diffusion restriction involving periventricular and central white matter was seen in five patients and bilateral globus pallidi blooming was noted in three patients. Conclusion This study highlights the utility of NCS and advanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences in the diagnosis of MLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Raina
- Department of Neurology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Sruthi S Nair
- Department of Neurology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Chinmay Nagesh
- Department of Imaging Sciences and Intervention Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Bejoy Thomas
- Department of Imaging Sciences and Intervention Radiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Muralidharan Nair
- Department of Neurology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Soumya Sundaram
- Department of Neurology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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Dahmoush HM, Melhem ER, Vossough A. Metabolic, endocrine, and other genetic disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2016; 136:1221-1259. [PMID: 27430466 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-53486-6.00063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic, endocrine, and genetic diseases of the brain include a very large array of disorders caused by a wide range of underlying abnormalities and involving a variety of brain structures. Often these disorders manifest as recognizable, though sometimes overlapping, patterns on neuroimaging studies that may enable a diagnosis based on imaging or may alternatively provide enough clues to direct further diagnostic evaluation. The diagnostic workup can include various biochemical laboratory or genetic studies. In this chapter, after a brief review of normal white-matter development, we will describe a variety of leukodystrophies resulting from metabolic disorders involving the brain, including mitochondrial and respiratory chain diseases. We will then describe various acidurias, urea cycle disorders, disorders related to copper and iron metabolism, and disorders of ganglioside and mucopolysaccharide metabolism. Lastly, various other hypomyelinating and dysmyelinating leukodystrophies, including vanishing white-matter disease, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, and oculocerebrorenal syndrome will be presented. In the following section on endocrine disorders, we will examine various disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including developmental, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases. Neonatal hypoglycemia will also be briefly reviewed. In the final section, we will review a few of the common genetic phakomatoses. Throughout the text, both imaging and brief clinical features of the various disorders will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham M Dahmoush
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elias R Melhem
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arastoo Vossough
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Liaw HR, Lee HF, Chi CS, Tsai CR. Late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy: Clinical manifestations of five Taiwanese patients and Genetic features in Asia. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2015; 10:144. [PMID: 26553228 PMCID: PMC4638099 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-015-0363-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study was conducted to describe the clinical and genetic features of patients with late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy. METHODS Clinical and genetic manifestations of five Taiwanese patients with late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy from January 2003 to April 2014 were reviewed. The genetic features of such patients reported in Asian countries during a period of 20 years were also analyzed. RESULTS The median age at disease onset was 1 year and 3 months with the first clinical symptom being gait disturbance. All five patients became bed-ridden at a median age of 2 years and 5 months. Nerve conduction velocity revealed demyelinating polyneuropathy and brain MRI disclosed tigroid and leopard skin pattern of dysmyelination in all 5 patients. All patients had decreased ARSA activities in leukocytes accounting for 15.88% to 30.75% of controls. Five novel mutations, p.A316D, p.G303R, p.Q176X, p.R293X, and c.749 insGCGGGCCA, were identified in our case series. Eighteen patients, including our 5 patients, were reported in Asian countries. A total of 22 different disease-causing alleles were found, in which p.W320X was identified in Taiwan and China, and p.G101V was found in Taiwan and Korea. CONCLUSIONS Patients with late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy exhibited a rapid and devastating clinical course. The pattern of dysmyelination on brain MRI together with peripheral demyelination polyneuropathy indicates that evaluation of ARSA activity in leukocytes is warranted. A wide diversity of ARSA gene mutations was noted in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Ru Liaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650, Taiwan Boulevard Sec. 4, Taichung, 40705, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Fen Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650, Taiwan Boulevard Sec. 4, Taichung, 40705, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shiang Chi
- Department of Pediatrics, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, 699, Taiwan Boulevard Sec. 8, Wuchi, Taichung, 435, Taiwan. .,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-Ren Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, 1650, Taiwan Boulevard Sec. 4, Taichung, 40705, Taiwan.,Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, 250, Kuo Kuang Rd, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
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van Rappard DF, Boelens JJ, Wolf NI. Metachromatic leukodystrophy: Disease spectrum and approaches for treatment. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 29:261-73. [PMID: 25987178 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy is an inherited lysosomal disorder caused by recessive mutations in ARSA encoding arylsulfatase A. Low activity of arylsulfatase A results in the accumulation of sulfatides in the central and peripheral nervous system leading to demyelination. The disease is classified in a late-infantile, juvenile and adult onset type based on the age of onset, all characterized by a variety of neurological symptoms, which eventually lead to death if untreated. There is no curative treatment for all types and stages. This review discusses diagnostic process and efficacy of current and possible future therapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, enzyme replacement therapy and gene therapy. A systematic evaluation regarding the efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and a longer follow up period for gene therapy are needed to come to a general conclusion and improve treatment options for metachromatic leukodystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane F van Rappard
- Department of Child Neurology, Center for Children with White Matter Disorders, VU Medical Centre and Neuroscience Campus, Postbox 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Jaap Jan Boelens
- Department of Pediatrics, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3503 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, Center for Children with White Matter Disorders, VU Medical Centre and Neuroscience Campus, Postbox 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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