Brain signature of mild stages of cognitive and behavioral impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Author(s)

Branco, Lucas M. T. ; de Rezende, Thiago J. R. ; Roversi, Caroline de O. ; Zanao, Tamires ; Casseb, Raphael F. ; de Campos, Brunno M. ; Franca, Jr., Marcondes C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH-NEUROIMAGING; v. 272, p. 58-64, FEB 28 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

We aimed to assess the brain signature of cognitive and behavioral impairment in C9orf72-negative non-demented ALS patients. The study included 50 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (out of 75 initially recruited) and 38 healthy controls. High-resolution T1-weighted and spin-echo diffusion tensor images were acquired in a 3 T MRI scanner. The multi atlas-based analysis protocol and the FreeSurfer tool were employed for gray matter assessment, and fiber tractography for white matter evaluation. Cognitively impaired ALS patients (n = 12) had bilateral amygdalae and left thalamic volumetric reduction compared to non-impaired ALS patients. Behaviorally impaired ALS patients (n = 14) had lower fractional anisotropy (FA) at the fornix in comparison with healthy subjects. These parameters did correlate with cognitive/behavioral scores, but not with motorfunctional parameters in the ALS cohort. We believe that basal ganglia and fornix damage might be related to cognitive and behavioral impairment across ALS-frontotemporal dementia continuum. Also, distinct anatomical areas seem to influence the behavioral and cognitive status of these individuals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/01766-7 - Sensory neuronopathies: investigation of new diagnostic methods, mechanisms of the disease and therapeutic strategies
• Grantee: Marcondes Cavalcante Franca Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants