1
|
Federico G, Ciccarelli G, Noce G, Cavaliere C, Ilardi CR, Tramontano L, Alfano V, Mele G, Di Cecca A, Salvatore M, Brandimonte MA. The fear of COVID-19 contagion: an exploratory EEG-fMRI study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5263. [PMID: 38438468 PMCID: PMC10912687 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56014-4] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pandemics have the potential to change how people behave and feel. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception; thus, it may serve as a "challenging context" for understanding how pandemics affect people's minds. In this study, we used high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural correlates of fear of contagion during the most critical moments of COVID-19 in Italy (i.e., October 2020-May 2021). To do that, we stimulated participants (N = 17; nine females) with artificial-intelligence-generated faces of people presented as healthy, recovered from COVID-19, or infected by SARS-CoV-2. The fMRI results documented a modulation of large bilateral fronto-temporo-parietal functional brain networks. Critically, we found selective recruitment of cortical (e.g., frontal lobes) and subcortical fear-related structures (e.g., amygdala and putamen) of the so-called social brain network when participants observed COVID-19-related faces. Consistently, EEG results showed distinct patterns of brain activity selectively associated with infected and recovered faces (e.g., delta and gamma rhythm). Together, these results highlight how pandemic contexts may reverberate in the human brain, thus influencing most basic social and cognitive functioning. This may explain the emergence of a cluster of psychopathologies during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study underscores the need for prompt interventions to address pandemics' short- and long-term consequences on mental health.
Collapse
|
2
|
Federico G, Osiurak F, Ciccarelli G, Ilardi CR, Cavaliere C, Tramontano L, Alfano V, Migliaccio M, Di Cecca A, Salvatore M, Brandimonte MA. On the functional brain networks involved in tool-related action understanding. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1163. [PMID: 37964121 PMCID: PMC10645930 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05518-2] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tool-use skills represent a significant cognitive leap in human evolution, playing a crucial role in the emergence of complex technologies. Yet, the neural mechanisms underlying such capabilities are still debated. Here we explore with fMRI the functional brain networks involved in tool-related action understanding. Participants viewed images depicting action-consistent (e.g., nail-hammer) and action-inconsistent (e.g., scarf-hammer) object-tool pairs, under three conditions: semantic (recognizing the tools previously seen in the pairs), mechanical (assessing the usability of the pairs), and control (looking at the pairs without explicit tasks). During the observation of the pairs, task-based left-brain functional connectivity differed within conditions. Compared to the control, both the semantic and mechanical conditions exhibited co-activations in dorsal (precuneus) and ventro-dorsal (inferior frontal gyrus) regions. However, the semantic condition recruited medial and posterior temporal areas, whereas the mechanical condition engaged inferior parietal and posterior temporal regions. Also, when distinguishing action-consistent from action-inconsistent pairs, an extensive frontotemporal neural circuit was activated. These findings support recent accounts that view tool-related action understanding as the combined product of semantic and mechanical knowledge. Furthermore, they emphasize how the left inferior parietal and anterior temporal lobes might be considered as hubs for the cross-modal integration of physical and conceptual knowledge, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - François Osiurak
- Laboratoire d'Etude des Mécanismes Cognitifs (EA 3082), Université de Lyon, Bron, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Baldi D, Tramontano L, Punzo B, Cavaliere C. Evaluation of Bilateral Maxillary Sinus Ectopic Teeth Using CT and Cinematic Rendering-A Case Report. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3084. [PMID: 37835826 PMCID: PMC10572318 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193084] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus are a rare finding and pose a diagnostic challenge due to their unusual location and clinical management. A 28-year-old man presented with complaints of discomfort and pressure in the maxillary sinus region. A CT scan and cinematic rendering revealed the presence of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus bilaterally. The use of cinematic rendering provided a more detailed and accurate visualization of the ectopic teeth and surrounding anatomical structures. A CT scan is the primary imaging modality used for the diagnosis and visualization of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus. In addition, the use of cinematic rendering can improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the need for further imaging studies. The use of CT and cinematic rendering can help in the diagnosis and visualization of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus, aiding in the planning of surgical interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bruna Punzo
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (D.B.); (L.T.); (C.C.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Punzo B, Ranieri B, Tramontano L, Affinito O, Franzese M, Bossone E, Saba L, Cavaliere C, Cademartiri F. 4D-Flow Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Sequence for Aortic Assessment: Multi-Vendor and Multi-Magnetic Field Reproducibility in Healthy Volunteers. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12082960. [PMID: 37109295 PMCID: PMC10141060 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082960] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) represents an emerging technique for non-invasive evaluation of the aortic flow. The aim of this study was to investigate a 4D-flow CMR sequence for the assessment of thoracic aorta comparing different vendors and different magnetic fields of MR scanner in fifteen healthy volunteers. METHODS CMR was performed on three different MRI scanners: one at 1.5 T and two at 3 T. Flow parameters and planar wall shear stress (WSS) were extracted from six transversal planes along the full thoracic aorta by three operators. Inter-vendor comparability as well as scan-rescan, intra- and interobserver reproducibility were examined. RESULTS A high heterogeneity was found in the comparisons for each operator and for each scanner in the six transversal planes analysis (Friedman rank-sum test; p-value ≤ 0.05). Among all, the most reproducible measures were extracted for the sinotubular junction plane and for the flow parameters. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that standardized procedures have to be defined to make more comparable and reproducible 4D-flow parameters and mainly, clinical impactfulness. Further studies on sequences development are needed to validate 4D-flow MRI assessment across vendors and magnetic fields also compared to a missing gold standard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Punzo
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Brigida Ranieri
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ornella Affinito
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Franzese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Public Health, "Federico II" University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria (A.O.U.) di Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Baldi D, Tramontano L, Alfano V, Punzo B, Cavaliere C, Salvatore M. Whole Body Low Dose Computed Tomography Using Third-Generation Dual-Source Multidetector With Spectral Shaping: Protocol Optimization and Literature Review. Dose Response 2020; 18:1559325820973131. [PMID: 33456411 PMCID: PMC7783892 DOI: 10.1177/1559325820973131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, the main imaging tool for multiple myeloma (MM) patient's management has been the conventional skeleton survey. In 2014 international myeloma working group defined the advantages of the whole-body low dose computed tomography (WBLDCT) as a gold standard, among imaging modalities, for bone disease assessment and subsequently implemented this technique in the MM diagnostic workflow. The aim of this study is to investigate, in a group of 30 patients with a new diagnosis of MM, the radiation dose (CT dose index, dose-length product, effective dose), the subjective image quality score and osseous/extra-osseous findings rate with a modified WBLDCT protocol. Spectral shaping and third-generation dual-source multidetector CT scanner was used for the assessment of osteolytic lesions due to MM, and the dose exposure was compared with the literature findings reported until 2020. Mean radiation dose parameters were reported as follows: CT dose index 0.3 ± 0.1 mGy, Dose-Length Product 52.0 ± 22.5 mGy*cm, effective dose 0.44 ± 0.19 mSv. Subjective image quality was good/excellent in all subjects. 11/30 patients showed osteolytic lesions, with a percentage of extra-osseous findings detected in 9/30 patients. Our data confirmed the advantages of WBLDCT in the diagnosis of patients with MM, reporting an effective dose for our protocol as the lowest among previous literature findings.
Collapse
|
6
|
Longarzo M, Cavaliere C, Mele G, Tozza S, Tramontano L, Alfano V, Aiello M, Salvatore M, Grossi D. Microstructural Changes in Motor Functional Conversion Disorder: Multimodal Imaging Approach on a Case. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060385. [PMID: 32570773 PMCID: PMC7348696 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional motor conversion disorders are characterized by neurological symptoms unrelated to brain structural lesions. The present study was conducted on a woman presenting motor symptoms causing motor dysfunction, using advanced multimodal neuroimaging techniques, electrophysiological and neuropsychological assessment. METHODS The patient underwent fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET-CT) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with both task and resting-state paradigms and was compared with 11 healthy matched controls. To test differences in structural parameters, Bayesian comparison was performed. To test differences in functional parameters, a first- and second-level analysis was performed in task fMRI, while a seed-to-seed analysis to evaluate the connections between brain regions and identify intersubject variations was performed in resting-state fMRI. RESULTS FDG-PET showed two patterns of brain metabolism, involving the cortical and subcortical structures. Regarding the diffusion data, microstructural parameters were altered for U-shape fibers for the hand and feet regions. Resting-state analysis showed hypoconnectivity between the parahippocampal and superior temporal gyrus. Neurophysiological assessment showed no alterations. Finally, an initial cognitive impairment was observed, paralleled by an anxiety and mild depressive state. CONCLUSIONS While we confirmed no structural alterations sustaining this functional motor disorder, we report microstructural changes in sensory-motor integration for both the hand and feet regions that could functionally support clinical manifestations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Longarzo
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +081-240-8444
| | - Giulia Mele
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Liberatore Tramontano
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Alfano
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Marco Aiello
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco, 113, 80142 Naples, Italy; (M.L.); (G.M.); (L.T.); (V.A.); (M.A.); (M.S.)
| | - Dario Grossi
- Department of Psychology, Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cavaliere C, Tramontano L, Fiorenza D, Alfano V, Aiello M, Salvatore M. Gliosis and Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Role of PET and MR Imaging. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:75. [PMID: 32327973 PMCID: PMC7161920 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial activation characterizes most neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, often anticipating clinical manifestations and macroscopical brain alterations. Although imaging techniques have improved diagnostic accuracy in many neurological conditions, often supporting diagnosis, prognosis prediction and treatment outcome, very few molecular imaging probes, specifically focused on microglial and astrocytic activation, have been translated to a clinical setting. In this context, hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) scanners represent the most advanced tool for molecular imaging, combining the functional specificity of PET radiotracers (e.g., targeting metabolism, hypoxia, and inflammation) to both high-resolution and multiparametric information derived by MR in a single imaging acquisition session. This simultaneity of findings achievable by PET/MR, if useful for reciprocal technical adjustments regarding temporal and spatial cross-modal alignment/synchronization, opens still debated issues about its clinical value in neurological patients, possibly incompliant and highly variable from a clinical point of view. While several preclinical and clinical studies have investigated the sensitivity of PET tracers to track microglial (mainly TSPO ligands) and astrocytic (mainly MAOB ligands) activation, less studies have focused on MR specificity to this topic (e.g., through the assessment of diffusion properties and T2 relaxometry), and only few exploiting the integration of simultaneous hybrid acquisition. This review aims at summarizing and critically review the current state about PET and MR imaging for glial targets, as well as the potential added value of hybrid scanners for characterizing microglial and astrocytic activation.
Collapse
|
8
|
Baldi D, Alfano V, Punzo B, Tramontano L, Baselice S, Spidalieri G, Micera O, Cavaliere C. A Rare Case of Sigmoid Colon Carcinoma in Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10020099. [PMID: 32053919 PMCID: PMC7167832 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Incarcerated inguinal hernia is a common diagnosis in patients presenting a painful and nonreducible groin mass. Although the diagnosis is usually made by physical examination, the content of the hernia sac and the extent of the surgical operation may vary and can require multimodal imaging integration (e.g., ultrasonography, computed tomography); the usual finding is a segment of small bowel and, less commonly, large bowel. We present an extremely rare case of a sigmoid cancer incarcerated in a left inguinal hernia and infiltrating the spermatic cord. The patient underwent whole-body computed tomography (CT) with contrast agent injection for staging, followed by a left hemicolectomy paralleled by a unilateral orchiectomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Baldi
- IRCCS SDN, 80143 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (B.P.); (L.T.); (S.B.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-2408-444; Fax: +39-081-668-841
| | - Vincenzo Alfano
- IRCCS SDN, 80143 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (B.P.); (L.T.); (S.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Bruna Punzo
- IRCCS SDN, 80143 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (B.P.); (L.T.); (S.B.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Simona Baselice
- IRCCS SDN, 80143 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (B.P.); (L.T.); (S.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Gianluca Spidalieri
- Department of Radiology, Casa di Cura Montevergine, 83013 Mercogliano, Italy;
| | - Osvaldo Micera
- Section of Surgery, Santa Rita Private Care Hospital, 83042 Atripalda, Italy;
| | - Carlo Cavaliere
- IRCCS SDN, 80143 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (B.P.); (L.T.); (S.B.); (C.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Baldi D, Tramontano L, Punzo B, Orsini M, Cavaliere C. CT cinematic rendering for glomus jugulare tumor with intracranial extension. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:522-526. [PMID: 32190578 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2019.12.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
10
|
Longarzo M, Cavaliere C, Orsini M, Tramontano L, Aiello M, Salvatore M, Grossi D. A Multimodal Imaging Study in a Case of Bilateral Thalamic Damage With Multidomain Cognitive Impairment. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1048. [PMID: 31681141 PMCID: PMC6802733 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe thalamic injury can determine a particular type of vascular dementia affecting multiple network dysfunctions, considered the central role of thalamus as a hub for afferent and efferent stimuli. A 67-year-old male patient with bilateral thalamic stroke was studied with positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and cognitive assessment, performed at baseline and at two follow-up evaluations. A pattern primarily involving thalamo-frontal connections was observed by both PET and tractography analyses. All significant differences between the patient and controls involved the anterior thalamic radiation, one of the major fiber tracts in the fronto-thalamic circuitry. In particular, altered tractography indices of higher radial diffusivity and apparent diffusion coefficient and reduced fractional anisotropy values for the anterior thalamic radiation were reported. In accordance with imaging findings, neuropsychological evaluation demonstrated a multidomain impairment including memory, executive functions, and attention. Additionally, the patients displayed behavioral symptoms, in absence of mood alterations. Multimodal imaging assessment, revealing the metabolic and microstructural alterations that attend to multidomain neuropsychological impairment, demonstrated multiple levels of adaptations to bilateral vascular thalamic injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dario Grossi
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tramontano L. Improve reimbursement through improved documentation. QRC Advis 1988; 5:1, 6-7. [PMID: 10325119] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L Tramontano
- Hospital Council of Southern California, Los Angeles
| |
Collapse
|