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Lu T, Wang Z, Zhu Y, Wang M, Lu CQ, Ju S. Long-range connections damage in white matter hyperintensities affects information processing speed. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae042. [PMID: 38410619 PMCID: PMC10896478 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae042] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
White matter hyperintensities, one of the major markers of cerebral small vessel disease, disrupt the integrity of neuronal networks and ultimately contribute to cognitive dysfunction. However, a deeper understanding of how white matter hyperintensities related to the connectivity patterns of brain hubs at the neural network level could provide valuable insights into the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and cognitive dysfunction. A total of 36 patients with moderate to severe white matter hyperintensities (Fazekas score ≥ 3) and 34 healthy controls underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and resting-state functional MRI scans. The voxel-based graph-theory approach-functional connectivity strength was employed to systematically investigate the topological organization of the whole-brain networks. The white matter hyperintensities patients performed significantly worse than the healthy controls in episodic memory, executive function and information processing speed. Additionally, we found that white matter hyperintensities selectively affected highly connected hub regions, predominantly involving the medial and lateral prefrontal, precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, insula and thalamus. Intriguingly, this impairment was connectivity distance-dependent, with the most prominent disruptions observed in long-range connections (e.g. 100-150 mm). Finally, these disruptions of hub connectivity (e.g. the long-range functional connectivity strength in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) positively correlated with the cognitive performance in white matter hyperintensities patients. Our findings emphasize that the disrupted hub connectivity patterns in white matter hyperintensities are dependent on connection distance, especially longer-distance connections, which in turn predispose white matter hyperintensities patients to worse cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Lu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yixin Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mengxue Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chun-Qiang Lu
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shenghong Ju
- Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Kuang Q, Huang M, Lei Y, Wu L, Jin C, Dai J, Zhou F. Clinical and cognitive correlates tractography analysis in patients with white matter hyperintensity of vascular origin. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1187979. [PMID: 37397447 PMCID: PMC10311635 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1187979] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose White matter hyperintensity lesions (WMHL) in the brain are a consequence of cerebral small vessel disease and microstructural damage. Patients with WMHL have diverse clinical features, and hypertension, advanced age, obesity, and cognitive decline are often observed. However, whether these clinical features are linked to interrupted structural connectivity in the brain requires further investigation. This study therefore explores the white matter pathways associated with WMHL, with the objective of identifying neural correlates for clinical features in patients with WMHL. Methods Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and several clinical features (MoCA scores, hypertension scores, body mass index (BMI), duration of hypertension, total white matter lesion loads, and education.) highly related to WMHL were obtained in 16 patients with WMHL and 20 health controls. We used diffusion MRI connectometry to explore the relationship between clinical features and specific white matter tracts using DSI software. Results The results showed that the anterior splenium of the corpus callosum, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, the anterior corpus callosum and the middle cerebellar peduncle were significantly correlated with hypertension scores (false discovery rate (FDR) = 0.044). The anterior splenium of the corpus callosum, the left thalamoparietal tract, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and the left cerebellar were significantly correlated with MoCA scores (FDR = 0.016). The anterior splenium of corpus callosum, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, cingulum fasciculus, and fornix/fimbria were significantly correlated with body mass index (FDR = 0.001). Conclusion Our findings show that hypertension score, MoCA score, and BMI are important clinical features in patients with WMHL, hypertension degree and higher BMI are associated with whiter matter local disconnection in patients with WMHL, and may contribute to understanding the cognitive impairments observed in patients with WMHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinmei Kuang
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
| | - Muhua Huang
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
| | - Yumeng Lei
- Department of Radiology, Nanchang First Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
| | - Chen Jin
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiankun Dai
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Fuqing Zhou
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Clinical Research Center for Medical Imaging in Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China
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Wang M, Zhao G, Jiang Y, Lu T, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Xie C, Wang Z, Ren Q. Disconnection of Network Hubs Underlying the Executive Function Deficit in Patients with Ischemic Leukoaraiosis. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:1577-1586. [PMID: 37458032 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230048] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is the most common clinical manifestation of ischemic leukoaraiosis (ILA), but the underlying neurobiological pathways have not been well elucidated. Recently, it was thought that ILA is a "disconnection syndrome". Disorganized brain connectome were considered the key neuropathology underlying cognitive deficits in ILA patients. OBJECTIVE We aimed to detect the disruption of network hubs in ILA patients using a new analytical method called voxel-based eigenvector centrality (EC) mapping. METHODS Subjects with moderate to severe white matters hyperintensities (Fazekas score ≥3) and healthy controls (HCs) (Fazekas score = 0) were included in the study. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and the EC mapping approach were performed to explore the alteration of whole-brain network connectivity in ILA patients. RESULTS Relative to the HCs, the ILA patients exhibited poorer cognitive performance in episodic memory, information processing speed, and executive function (all ps < 0.0125). Additionally, compared with HCs, the ILA patients had lower functional connectivity (i.e., EC values) in the medial parts of default-mode network (i.e., bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus and ventral medial prefrontal cortex [vMPFC]). Intriguingly, the functional connectivity strength at the right vMPFC was positively correlated with executive function deficit in the ILA patients. CONCLUSION The findings suggested disorganization of the hierarchy of the default-mode regions within the whole-brain network in patients with ILA and advanced our understanding of the neurobiological mechanism underlying executive function deficit in ILA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guofeng Zhao
- Center of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The 962nd Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Harbin, China
| | - Tong Lu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanjuan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yixin Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengsheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunming Xie
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingguo Ren
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Kolskår KK, Ulrichsen KM, Richard G, Dørum ES, de Schotten MT, Rokicki J, Monereo-Sánchez J, Engvig A, Hansen HI, Nordvik JE, Westlye LT, Alnaes D. Structural disconnectome mapping of cognitive function in poststroke patients. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2707. [PMID: 35861657 PMCID: PMC9392540 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2707] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Sequalae following stroke represents a significant challenge in current rehabilitation. The location and size of focal lesions are only moderately predictive of the diverse cognitive outcome after stroke. One explanation building on recent work on brain networks proposes that the cognitive consequences of focal lesions are caused by damages to anatomically distributed brain networks supporting cognition rather than specific lesion locations. METHODS To investigate the association between poststroke structural disconnectivity and cognitive performance, we estimated individual level whole-brain disconnectivity probability maps based on lesion maps from 102 stroke patients using normative data from healthy controls. Cognitive performance was assessed in the whole sample using Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and a more comprehensive computerized test protocol was performed on a subset (n = 82). RESULTS Multivariate analysis using Partial Least Squares on the disconnectome maps revealed that higher disconnectivity in right insular and frontal operculum, superior temporal gyrus and putamen was associated with poorer MoCA performance, indicating that lesions in regions connected with these brain regions are more likely to cause cognitive impairment. Furthermore, our results indicated that disconnectivity within these clusters was associated with poorer performance across multiple cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that the extent and distribution of structural disconnectivity following stroke are sensitive to cognitive deficits and may provide important clinical information predicting poststroke cognitive sequalae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut K Kolskår
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HT, Nesodden, Norway
| | - Kristine M Ulrichsen
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HT, Nesodden, Norway
| | - Genevieve Richard
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erlend S Dørum
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HT, Nesodden, Norway
| | - Michel Thiebaut de Schotten
- Brain Connectivity and Behaviour Laboratory, Sorbonne Universities, Paris, France.,Groupe d'Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives-UMR 5293, CNRS, CEA University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jaroslav Rokicki
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jennifer Monereo-Sánchez
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Engvig
- Department of Nephrology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway.,Department of Medicine, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Jan Egil Nordvik
- CatoSenteret Rehabilitation Center, Son, Norway.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars T Westlye
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dag Alnaes
- NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Bjørknes College, Oslo, Norway
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Meng F, Yang Y, Jin G. Research Progress on MRI for White Matter Hyperintensity of Presumed Vascular Origin and Cognitive Impairment. Front Neurol 2022; 13:865920. [PMID: 35873763 PMCID: PMC9301233 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.865920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
White matter hyperintensity of presumed vascular origin (WMH) is a common medical imaging manifestation in the brains of middle-aged and elderly individuals. WMH can lead to cognitive decline and an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in patients with WMH remains unclear. WMH increases the risk of cognitive impairment, the nature and severity of which depend on lesion volume and location and the patient's cognitive reserve. Abnormal changes in microstructure, cerebral blood flow, metabolites, and resting brain function are observed in patients with WMH with cognitive impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an indispensable tool for detecting WMH, and novel MRI techniques have emerged as the key approaches for exploring WMH and cognitive impairment. This article provides an overview of the association between WMH and cognitive impairment and the application of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, 3D-arterial spin labeling, intravoxel incoherent motion, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and resting-state functional MRI for examining WMH and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanhua Meng
- North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Radiology, China Emergency General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwei Jin
- Department of Radiology, China Emergency General Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guangwei Jin
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Kang ES, Yook JS, Ha MS. Breathing Exercises for Improving Cognitive Function in Patients with Stroke. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11102888. [PMID: 35629013 PMCID: PMC9144753 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11102888] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with stroke may experience a certain degree of cognitive decline during the period of recovery, and a considerable number of such patients have been reported to show permanent cognitive damage. Therefore, the period of recovery and rehabilitation following stroke is critical for rapid cognitive functional improvements. As dysfunctional breathing has been reported as one of the factors affecting the quality of life post stroke, a number of studies have focused on the need for improving the breathing function in these patients. Numerous breathing exercises have been reported to enhance the respiratory, pulmonary, cognitive, and psychological functions. However, scientific evidence on the underlying mechanisms by which these exercises improve cognitive function is scattered at best. Therefore, it has been difficult to establish a protocol of breathing exercises for patients with stroke. In this review, we summarize the psychological, vascular, sleep-related, and biochemical factors influencing cognition in patients and highlight the need for breathing exercises based on existing studies. Breathing exercises are expected to contribute to improvements in cognitive function in stroke based on a diverse array of supporting evidence. With relevant follow-up studies, a protocol of breathing exercises can be developed for improving the cognitive function in patients with stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eui-Soo Kang
- Department of Sports Science Convergence-Graduate School, Dongguk University-Seoul, 30, Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea;
| | - Jang Soo Yook
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarang-ro 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Korea;
| | - Min-Seong Ha
- Department of Sports Culture, College of the Arts, Dongguk University-Seoul, 30, Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2290-1926
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Hu AM, Ma YL, Li YX, Han ZZ, Yan N, Zhang YM. Association between Changes in White Matter Microstructure and Cognitive Impairment in White Matter Lesions. Brain Sci 2022; 12. [PMID: 35448013 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with white matter lesions (WMLs) caused by cerebral small vessel disease and the corresponding changes in WM microstructures. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data of 50 patients with WMLs and 37 healthy controls were collected. Patients were divided into vascular cognitive impairment non-dementia and vascular dementia groups. Tract-based spatial statistics showed that patients with WMLs had significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) values throughout the WM areas but predominately in the forceps minor, forceps major (FMA), bilateral corticospinal tract, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and anterior thalamic radiation, compared to the control group. These fiber bundles were selected as regions of interest. There were significant differences in the FA, MD, AD, and RD values (p < 0.05) between groups. The DTI metrics of all fiber bundles significantly correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (p < 0.05), with the exception of the AD values of the FMA and ILF. Patients with WMLs showed changes in diffusion parameters in the main WM fiber bundles. Quantifiable changes in WM microstructure are the main pathological basis of cognitive impairment, and may serve as a biomarker of WMLs.
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