NeuroImage. Clinical
-
NeuroImage. Clinical · Jan 2019
Visual network alterations in brain functional connectivity in chronic low back pain: A resting state functional connectivity and machine learning study.
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is associated with widespread functional and structural changes in the brain. This study aims to investigate the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes of visual networks in cLBP patients and the feasibility of distinguishing cLBP patients from healthy controls using machine learning methods. cLBP (n = 90) and control individuals (n = 74) were enrolled and underwent resting-state BOLD fMRI scans. Primary, dorsal, and ventral visual networks derived from independent component analysis were used as regions of interest to compare resting state functional connectivity changes between the cLBP patients and healthy controls. ⋯ Our results demonstrate significant changes in the rsFC of the visual networks in cLBP patients. We speculate these alterations may represent an adaptation/self-adjustment mechanism and cross-model interaction between the visual, somatosensory, motor, attention, and salient networks in response to cLBP. Elucidating the role of the visual networks in cLBP may shed light on the pathophysiology and development of the disorder.
-
NeuroImage. Clinical · Jan 2019
Every hit matters: White matter diffusivity changes in high school football athletes are correlated with repetitive head acceleration event exposure.
Recent evidence of short-term alterations in brain physiology associated with repeated exposure to moderate intensity subconcussive head acceleration events (HAEs), prompts the question whether these alterations represent an underlying neural injury. A retrospective analysis combining counts of experienced HAEs and longitudinal diffusion-weighted imaging explored whether greater exposure to incident mechanical forces was associated with traditional diffusion-based measures of neural injury-reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD). ⋯ This finding demonstrates that subconcussive HAEs induce low-level neurotrauma, with prolonged exposure producing greater accumulation of neural damage. The duration and extent of recovery associated with periods in which athletes do not experience subconcussive HAEs now represents a priority for future study, such that appropriate participation and training schedules may be developed to minimize the risk of long-term neurological dysfunction.
-
NeuroImage. Clinical · Jan 2019
Dynamics of brain perfusion and cognitive performance in revascularization of carotid artery stenosis.
There is evidence suggesting a detrimental effect of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis on cognitive function even in the absence of ischemic cerebral lesions. Hypoperfusion has been suggested as pathophysiological mechanism causing cognitive impairment. We aimed to assess cognitive performance and cerebral perfusion changes in patients with carotid artery stenosis without ischemic lesions by arterial spin labeling (ASL) and contrast enhanced (CE) perfusion MRI before and after revascularization therapy. ⋯ We found evidence of traceable perfusion alterations in patients with high grade carotid artery stenosis in the absence of structural brain lesions, which proved fully reversible after revascularization therapy. In this cohort of asymptomatic patients we did not observe an association of hypoperfusion with cognitive performance.
-
NeuroImage. Clinical · Jan 2019
Cerebellar atrophy and its contribution to motor and cognitive performance in multiple system atrophy.
Neuroanatomical differences in the cerebellum are among the most consistent findings in multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients. This study performed a detailed cerebellar morphology in MSA patients and its two subtypes: MSA-P (parkinson's symptoms predominate) and MSA-C (cerebellar symptoms predominant), and their relations to profiles of motor and cognitive deficits. ⋯ Our data suggest that volumetric abnormalities of cerebellum contribute substantially to motor and cognitive performance in patients with MSA. In patients with MSA-P and MSA-C, affected regions of cerebellum differed.
-
NeuroImage. Clinical · Jan 2019
Rapid myelin water imaging for the assessment of cervical spinal cord myelin damage.
Rapid myelin water imaging (MWI) using a combined gradient and spin echo (GRASE) sequence can produce myelin specific metrics for the human brain. Spinal cord MWI could be similarly useful, but technical challenges have hindered routine application. GRASE rapid MWI was recently successfully implemented for imaging of healthy cervical spinal cord and may complement other advanced imaging methods, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and quantitative T1 (qT1). ⋯ GRASE is sufficiently sensitive to detect decreased myelin within MS spinal cord plaques, NMO lesions, and PLS diffuse spinal cord injury. Decreased MWF in PLS is consistent with demyelination secondary to motor neuron degeneration. GRASE MWI is a feasible method for rapid assessment of myelin content in the cervical spinal cord and provides complementary information to that of DTI and qT1 measures.