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Ramalho D, Araújo A, Correia S, Rocha G, Alves H, Oliveira MJ. Deleterious effects of endogenous hypercortisolism on brain structure: What do we know? Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2024; 85:85-88. [PMID: 37722975 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2023.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Ramalho
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - André Araújo
- Neuroradiology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Sara Correia
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Gustavo Rocha
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Helena Alves
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Maria João Oliveira
- Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Rua Conceição Fernandes, s/n, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
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De Alcubierre D, Ferrari D, Mauro G, Isidori AM, Tomlinson JW, Pofi R. Glucocorticoids and cognitive function: a walkthrough in endogenous and exogenous alterations. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1961-1982. [PMID: 37058223 PMCID: PMC10514174 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02091-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis exerts many actions on the central nervous system (CNS) aside from stress regulation. Glucocorticoids (GCs) play an important role in affecting several cognitive functions through the effects on both glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). In this review, we aim to unravel the spectrum of cognitive dysfunction secondary to derangement of circulating levels of endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids. METHODS All relevant human prospective and retrospective studies published up to 2022 in PubMed reporting information on HPA disorders, GCs, and cognition were included. RESULTS Cognitive impairment is commonly found in GC-related disorders. The main brain areas affected are the hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex, with memory being the most affected domain. Disease duration, circadian rhythm disruption, circulating GCs levels, and unbalanced MR/GR activation are all risk factors for cognitive decline in these patients, albeit with conflicting data among different conditions. Lack of normalization of cognitive dysfunction after treatment is potentially attributable to GC-dependent structural brain alterations, which can persist even after long-term remission. CONCLUSION The recognition of cognitive deficits in patients with GC-related disorders is challenging, often delayed, or mistaken. Prompt recognition and treatment of underlying disease may be important to avoid a long-lasting impact on GC-sensitive areas of the brain. However, the resolution of hormonal imbalance is not always followed by complete recovery, suggesting irreversible adverse effects on the CNS, for which there are no specific treatments. Further studies are needed to find the mechanisms involved, which may eventually be targeted for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D De Alcubierre
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Ferrari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Mauro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - J W Tomlinson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - R Pofi
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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Sulu C, Koca O, Icli TB, Oz A, Kargin OA, Durcan E, Sahin S, Arslan S, Turan S, Kadioglu P, Ozkaya HM. Altered thalamic volume in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion: a structural brain MRI study. Neuroradiology 2023; 65:1037-1051. [PMID: 37121916 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03156-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare thalamic volume and cognitive functions of patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) with control subjects and patients with overt Cushing's syndrome (CS). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, volumes of regions of interest were assessed using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging and a voxel-based morphometry approach in 23 patients with MACS, 21 patients with active CS, 27 patients with CS in remission, and 21 control subjects. Cognitive functions were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS Patients with MACS had smaller left thalamic (F = 3.8, p = 0.023), left posterior thalamic (F = 4.9, p = 0.01), left medial thalamic (F = 4.7, p = 0.028), and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.025) volumes than control subjects. Patients with active CS also had smaller left thalamic (F = 3.8, p = 0.044), left posterior thalamic (F = 4.9, p = 0.007), left medial thalamic (F = 4.7, p = 0.006), and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.042) volumes compared to controls. Patients with CS in remission had smaller left medial (F = 4.7, p = 0.030) and right lateral thalamic (F = 4.1, p = 0.028) volumes than controls. Neuropsychological tests showed no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION MACS may decrease thalamic volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Sulu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Oguzhan Koca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Tevhide Betul Icli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Oz
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Osman Aykan Kargin
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Serdar Sahin
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Serdar Arslan
- Department of Radiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Senol Turan
- Department of Psychiatry, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Pinar Kadioglu
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Hande Mefkure Ozkaya
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Pituitary Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Türkiye.
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Lee J, Li C, Liu CSJ, Shiroishi M, Carmichael JD, Zada G, Patel V. Ultra-high field 7 T MRI localizes regional brain volume recovery following corticotroph adenoma resection and hormonal remission in Cushing's disease: A case series. Surg Neurol Int 2022; 13:239. [PMID: 35855134 PMCID: PMC9282752 DOI: 10.25259/sni_787_2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cushing's disease (CD) is defined by glucocorticoid excess secondary to the increased section of corticotropin by a pituitary adenoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies performed at 1.5 or 3 Tesla (T) have demonstrated correlations between regional changes in brain structure and the progression of CD. In this report, we examine the changes in brain volume following corticotroph pituitary adenoma resection using ultra-high field 7 T MRI to increase the accuracy of our volumetric analyses. Methods Thirteen patients were referred to the endocrinology clinic at our institution from 2017 to 2020 with symptoms of cortisol excess and were diagnosed with ACTH-dependent endogenous Cushing syndrome. Five patients had follow-up 7 T imaging at varying time points after a transsphenoidal resection. Results Symmetrized percent change in regional volumes demonstrated a postoperative increase in cortical volume that was relatively larger than that of cerebral white matter or subcortical gray matter (percent changes = 0.0172%, 0.0052%, and 0.0120%, respectively). In the left cerebral hemisphere, the medial orbitofrontal, lateral orbitofrontal, and pars opercularis cortical regions experienced the most robust postoperative percent increases (percent changes = 0.0166%, 0.0122%, and 0.0068%, respectively). In the right cerebral hemisphere, the largest percent increases were observed in the pars triangularis, rostral portion of the middle frontal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus (percent changes = 0.0156%, 0.0120%, and 0.0158%). Conclusion Cerebral volume recovery following pituitary adenoma resection is driven by changes in cortical thickness predominantly in the frontal lobe, while subcortical white and gray matter volumes increase more modestly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Lee
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California
| | - Charles Li
- Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Chia-Shang J. Liu
- Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Mark Shiroishi
- Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - John D. Carmichael
- Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Gabriel Zada
- Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Vishal Patel
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California,,Departments of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States,,Corresponding author: Vishal Patel, Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States.
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Jiang H, Yang W, Sun Q, Liu C, Bian L. Trends in regional morphological changes in the brain after the resolution of hypercortisolism in Cushing's disease: a complex phenomenon, not mere partial reversibility. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:1377-1386. [PMID: 34596577 PMCID: PMC8558890 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The adverse effects of hypercortisolism on the human brain have been highlighted in previous studies of Cushing's disease (CD). However, the relative alterations in regional hypercortisolism in the brain remain unclear. Thus, we investigated regional volumetric alterations in CD patients. We also analyzed the associations between these volumetric changes and clinical characteristics. The study participants comprised of active CD (n = 60), short-term-remitted CD (n = 28), and long-term-remitted CD (n = 32) patients as well as healthy control subjects (n = 66). Gray matter volumes (GMVs) were measured via voxel-based morphometry. The GMVs of substructures were defined using the automated anatomical labeling (AAL) atlas. Trends toward normalization in GMV were found in most brain substructures of CD patients. Different trends, including enlarged, irreversible, and unaffected, were observed in the other subregions, such as the amygdala, thalamus, and caudate. Morphological changes in GMVs after the resolution of hypercortisolism are a complex phenomenon; the characteristics of these changes significantly differ within the brain substructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rui-Jin Lu-Wan Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - WenJie Yang
- Department of Radiology, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - QingFang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rui-Jin Lu-Wan Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Liu
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- College of Information Technology and Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
- College of Computer Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - LiuGuan Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rui-Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to L Bian:
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Amaya JM, Suidgeest E, Sahut-Barnola I, Dumontet T, Montanier N, Pagès G, Keller C, van der Weerd L, Pereira AM, Martinez A, Meijer OC. Effects of Long-Term Endogenous Corticosteroid Exposure on Brain Volume and Glial Cells in the AdKO Mouse. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:604103. [PMID: 33642975 PMCID: PMC7902940 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.604103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure to high circulating levels of glucocorticoids has detrimental effects on health, including metabolic abnormalities, as exemplified in Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have found volumetric changes in gray and white matter of the brain in CS patients during the course of active disease, but also in remission. In order to explore this further, we performed MRI-based brain volumetric analyses in the AdKO mouse model for CS, which presents its key traits. AdKO mice had reduced relative volumes in several brain regions, including the corpus callosum and cortical areas. The medial amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and hypothalamus were increased in relative volume. Furthermore, we found a lower immunoreactivity of myelin basic protein (MBP, an oligodendrocyte marker) in several brain regions but a paradoxically increased MBP signal in the male cingulate cortex. We also observed a decrease in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker for reactive astrocytes) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1, a marker for activated microglia) in the cingulate regions of the anterior corpus callosum and the hippocampus. We conclude that long-term hypercorticosteronemia induced brain region-specific changes that might include aberrant myelination and a degree of white matter damage, as both repair (GFAP) and immune (IBA1) responses are decreased. These findings suggest a cause for the changes observed in the brains of human patients and serve as a background for further exploration of their subcellular and molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Miguel Amaya
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ernst Suidgeest
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Sahut-Barnola
- Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Typhanie Dumontet
- Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Nathanaëlle Montanier
- Génétique Reproduction et Développement, Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Guilhem Pagès
- INRAE, AgroResonance, QuaPA UR370, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Cécile Keller
- INRAE, AgroResonance, QuaPA UR370, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Human Genetics Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Alberto M Pereira
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Antoine Martinez
- INRAE, AgroResonance, QuaPA UR370, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Onno C Meijer
- Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Bauduin SEEC, van der Pal Z, Pereira AM, Meijer OC, Giltay EJ, van der Wee NJA, van der Werff SJA. Cortical thickness abnormalities in long-term remitted Cushing's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:293. [PMID: 32826851 PMCID: PMC7443132 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00980-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term remitted Cushing's disease (LTRCD) patients commonly continue to present persistent psychological and cognitive deficits, and alterations in brain function and structure. Although previous studies have conducted gray matter volume analyses, assessing cortical thickness and surface area of LTRCD patients may offer further insight into the neuroanatomical substrates of Cushing's disease. Structural 3T magnetic resonance images were obtained from 25 LTRCD patients, and 25 age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). T1-weighted images were segmented using FreeSurfer software to extract mean cortical thickness and surface area values of 68 cortical gray matter regions and two whole hemispheres. Paired sample t tests explored differences between the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; region of interest), and the whole brain. Validated scales assessed psychiatric symptomatology, self-reported cognitive functioning, and disease severity. After correction for multiple comparisons, ROI analyses indicated that LTRCD-patients showed reduced cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and the right rostral ACC compared to HCs. Whole-brain analyses indicated thinner cortices of the left caudal ACC, left cuneus, left posterior cingulate cortex, right rostral ACC, and bilateral precuneus compared to HCs. No cortical surface area differences were identified. Cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC and left cuneus were inversely associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and disease duration, although certain associations did not persist after correction for multiple testing. In six of 68 regions examined, LTRCD patients had reduced cortical thickness in comparison to HCs. Cortical thickness of the left caudal ACC was inversely associated with disease duration. This suggests that prolonged and excessive exposure to glucocorticoids may be related to cortical thinning of brain structures involved in emotional and cognitive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E E C Bauduin
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Z van der Pal
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A M Pereira
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Center for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - O C Meijer
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Center for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E J Giltay
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - N J A van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S J A van der Werff
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
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