rCBF study with 123I-IMP SPECT of dural arteriovenous fistula]

It is important for dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) to evaluate venous ischemia in the brain related to venous hypertension, but only a few such studies have been performed. In this study, regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) in DAVF was examined for venous ischemia by 123I-IMP SPECT. The subjects were eighteen patients with DAVF. Of the eighteen patients, nine had DAVF with low perfusion areas and venous ischemia. The factors affecting rCBF in DAVF are: 1) the presence of retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage, 2) sinus occlusion, and 3) DAVF with high flow. The presence of retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage was observed in nine patients, sinus occlusion in four patients, high flow in three patients. In two patients, pure leptomeningeal venous drainage was formed by patent sinus, and blood regurgitated from DAVF on the sinus wall to cortical vein. When DAVF was associated with LMVD, most patients had venous hypertension and concomitant venous congestion in the same areas due to reduced venous circulation, resulting in a decrease in rCBF and an increase in regional cerebral blood volume. These hemodynamics suggest venous ischemia in the brain. 123I-IMP SPECT was useful for evaluating rCBF and as a parameter of the treatment.     

CT and 123I-IMP SPECT findings of head injuries with hyponatremia]

CT and SPECT findings were examined and the relationship between development of hyponatremia and lesions was studied in cases who developed hyponatremia following head injury. Six cases of hyponatremia after head injury in the last two years were used as the subjects. SPECT was performed by the 123I-IMP intravenous injection method using Tomomatic 64. Slice 2 of 4 to 6 cm on the OM line in the early image was used as the subject site. The data of development of hyponatremia was 5.8 patients days, duration 9.2 days, minimum serum Na level 117.2 mEq/l and minimum plasma osmotic pressure 247.6 mOsm/lH2O. CT findings in the hyponatremic stage showed frontal subdural effusion in all the cases. SPECT findings revealed a decrease of CBF in the frontal region on both sides and in the central region. CBF in the central region also tended to improve at a time when hyponatremia improved. In hyponatremia after head injury, lesions are often found in the frontal region on CT, and CBF in the central region is also decreased bilaterally on SPECT, which is presumed to be concerned with the development of hyponatremia.     

123I]beta-CIT SPECT in multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration.

Differentiation between Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders with parkinsonian features, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal degeneration (CBD), is difficult on clinical grounds. We studied the pattern of dopaminergic degeneration in 18 patients with probable MSA, 8 patients with PSP, 4 patients with CBD, 48 patients with PD and a similar degree of disability, and 14 control subjects performing single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) 20 hours after injection of [123I]beta-CIT. Overall striatal binding was significantly reduced in MSA (-51% of normal mean), PSP (-60%), CBD (-35%), and PD (-58%), without overlap with control values. Asymmetry of striatal beta-CIT binding was significantly increased in patients with CBD and PD, as compared with control subjects. Although asymmetry seemed to be less pronounced in MSA and PSP than in PD, this was not statistically significant. Putamen-caudate nucleus ratios in patients with PD, MSA, and PSP, but not with CBD, were significantly reduced, as compared with control subjects. In conclusion, [123I]beta-CIT SPECT reliably enables the visualization of the presynaptic dopaminergic lesion in patients with MSA, PSP, and CBD. In most patients, however, it does not seem to be possible to differentiate these disorders from PD with this method.     

A case of corticobasal degeneration presenting with visual hallucination]

We report a case of corticobasal degeneration (CBD) presenting with visual hallucination. A 65-year-old woman showed clumsiness of the left hand. Clinical symptoms slowly progressed to include rigidity, which was left side dominant, limb-kinetic apraxia of the left hand, disorder of construction and dressing, unilateral spatial neglect, cortical sensory loss and alien limb phenomenon. Cranial MRI showed atrophy of the parietal and medial aspect of the frontal lobes, which was more severe on the right than on the left. SPECT images showed hypoperfusion in the parietal, frontal and temporal lobes, which were similarly more severe on the right than on the left. We diagnosed the patient as having CBD based on the clinical symptoms. Two years' later, she developed recurrent visual hallucinations that were typically well formed and detailed. Since patients with CBD generally do not experience visual hallucination, this case is considered the very rare and indicates the possibility that visual hallucination may be one of the clinical symptoms of CBD.     

MRI in corticobasal degeneration

Corticobasal degeneration is a degenerative disease characterized by asymmetric brain atrophy and clinically by asymmetric onset of an akinetic-rigid syndrome with apraxia, dysarthria and dysphagia. Diagnosis must be confirmed by autopsy. We have investigated the ability of MRI to detect asymmetric atrophy to support the clinical diagnosis and permit differential diagnosis against other degenerative disorders. Ten patients with clinical suspicion of corticobasal degeneration were studied by brain MRI, and the images were reviewed with the side of greater clinical involvement unknown to the reviewer. The original reports of MR scans were also reviewed. MRI demonstrates that cortical atrophy is asymmetric and more marked in the posterior frontal and mainly in the parietal regions on the side contralateral to the clinical symptoms. Asymmetry was rarely detected on the first reading. Our review of MRI findings demonstrates that it is possible to detect asymmetrical parietal atrophy, thus supporting the clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration. It is essential to be aware of the disease and alert for asymmetries in order to discern the more involved side. No abnormalities were detected in the basal ganglia.     

Neuroimaging features in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration]

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and cortocobasal degeneration (CBD) are often clinically confused with each other. In this paper, based our previous and on-going morphological and functional neuroimaging studies, the features characteristic of the two diseases are discussed. In PSP patients, the atrophic and metabolic changes are dominant in the frontal lobes, basal ganglia, and midbrain, while in CBD patients, the changes are dominant in the parietal lobe. There is little overlap of topographical distribution of atrophy and functional changes between PSP and CBD, despite the considerable similarity of symptoms of the two disorders. The clear distinction between the two diseases may be in part caused by the criteria-based subject selection process; based on stringent clinical diagnostic criteria for each disorder, which have a high specificity and a low sensitivity, only patients that are typical of each disease are compared. Nevertheless, these neuroimaging features appear to reflect different clinical and pathologic phenotypes between the two diseases. These findings suggest that neuroimagings facilitate the differential diagnosis between patients with PSP and those with CBD.     

The effect of anticholinergic drugs on 123I-IMP SPECT in Parkinson's disease]

Several reports have suggested that anticholinergics have some associations with mental deterioration in Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated the effect of anticholinergics on regional cerebral uptake of tracer in PD patients using N-isopropyl p-[I-123] iodoamphetamine SPECT. Sixteen pairs of region of interest (ROI) were located in the cortex, a pair in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellum. The size of each ROI was about 16 mm x 16 mm. Regional cerebral uptake ratio (rCUR) was calculated by the next equation: rCUR = (total count in an ORI)/(mean of total count in the cerebellar ROIs). The comparison consisted of two parts; (1) 7 PD patients (age 59-76 (65.4 +/- 6.7 mean +/- S.D.)) who had been on chronic anticholinergic therapy underwent SPECT and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) twice, for the first time when they were on anticholinergics and second a month after discontinuation of anticholinergics. All but two patients performed significantly better on WAIS after discontinuation than when they were on anticholinergics. The improvement was about 10 points in total IQ. (2) 11 PD patients (age 52-79 (64.5 +/- 8.6 mean +/- S.D.)) on chronic anticholinergic therapy including all but two patients mentioned above (group A) and 25 PD patients (age 52-88 (66.7 +/- 9.8 mean +/- S.D.)) not receiving anticholinergics (group B) also underwent SEPCT. In the comparison (1), at all but two ROIs was the mean rCUR higher after discontinuation than when they were on anticholinergics and the difference was significant at 10 ROIs out of 32 ROIs in the cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dystonia in corticobasal degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical features, particularly dystonia, in patients with clinically diagnosed or pathologically proven corticobasal degeneration (CBD). BACKGROUND: Although dystonia has been reported in many neurodegenerative disorders, it has not been studied in CBD. Dystonia, often accompanied by painful rigidity and fixed contractures, is one of the most disabling features of CBD. METHODS: The medical records, imaging studies, and videotapes of 66 patients who satisfied the clinical criteria of CBD, evaluated between 1988 and 1998, were reviewed. The occurrence, nature, and distribution of dystonic features were analyzed and correlated with other features of CBD. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients with CBD, 39 (59.0%) had dystonia. The mean age at onset of initial symptoms was 63.9 years (range 44--75). In 20 (51.0%) patients, dystonic symptoms began in one arm, while 13 (33.0%) patients had initial leg involvement. At least one arm was affected in 36 (92.0%) dystonic patients. Although 11 (28.0%) patients had leg dystonia, the leg was the predominant site of involvement in only 1 patient. Only 12 (31.0%) patients had dystonia involving the head, neck, or trunk in the course of the disease. The diagnosis of CBD was confirmed in all 4 patients who had autopsies. CONCLUSION: In this large series of CBD patients we found that asymmetric limb dystonia, particularly affecting one arm, is a common manifestation of CBD; dystonia may be the initial manifestation of this neurodegenerative disorder. Axial or leg dystonia, without significant involvement of an arm, is rare. There is no effective treatment for this relentless disorder, except for temporary relief of dystonia and pain, with local botulinum toxin injections.     

Language disturbances in corticobasal degeneration

To characterize the language deficits in corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and their relation to neuroradiologic findings, the authors administered a standardized battery of neurobehavioral tests and performed MRI studies on 15 patients with CBD. Eight patients (53%) had classifiable aphasias, including anomic, Broca's and transcortical motor aphasias. The aphasias were associated primarily with left frontal and parietal cortical damage and subcortical white matter and corpus callosum abnormalities. Our findings demonstrate that language disturbances in CBD are more frequent than previously considered.     

Focal reflex myoclonus in corticobasal degeneration

Focal reflex myoclonus was observed in a patient clinically diagnosed as affected by corticobasal degeneration. Myoclonus was not preceded by a cortical discharge and contralateral parietal components of the somatosensory evoked potentials were reduced in amplitude. No simple pathophysiological mechanism can account for all cases of focal reflex myoclonus seen in clinical practice.     

Exome sequencing in familial corticobasal degeneration

BackgroundCorticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a neurodegenerative, sporadic disorder of unknown cause. Few familial cases have been described.ObjectiveWe aim to characterize the clinical, imaging, pathological and genetic features of two familial cases of CBD.MethodsWe describe two first cousins with CBD associated with atypical MRI findings. We performed exome sequencing in both subjects and in an unaffected first cousin of similar age.ResultsThe cases include a 79-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man of Native American and British origin. The onset of the neurological manifestations was 74 and 68 years respectively. Both patients presented with a combination of asymmetric parkinsonism, apraxia, myoclonic tremor, cortical sensory syndrome, and gait disturbance. The female subject developed left side fixed dystonia. The manifestations were unresponsive to high doses of levodopa in both cases. Extensive bilateral T1-W hyperintensities and T2-W hypointensities in basal ganglia and thalamus were observed in the female patient; whereas these findings were more subtle in the male subject. Postmortem examination of both patients was consistent with corticobasal degeneration; the female patient had additional findings consistent with mild Alzheimer's disease. No Lewy bodies were found in either case. Exome sequencing showed mutations leading to possible structural changes in MRS2 and ZHX2 genes, which appear to have the same upstream regulator miR-4277.ConclusionsCorticobasal degeneration can have a familial presentation; the role of MRS2 and ZHX2 gene products in CBD should be further investigated.     

Ubiquitin-positive achromatic neurons in corticobasal degeneration

A 66-year-old woman presented with an alien limb syndrome without dementia. The course of her illness was unremitting and at autopsy 6 years later her diagnosis was confirmed as corticobasal degeneration without Alzheimer-type pathology. Although the presence of ballooned achromatic cortical neurons and cell loss from the substantia nigra distinguishes such patients, the site and density of achromatic neurons has not previously been quantified. We show that immunohistochemistry for the cell stress protein ubiquitin selectively stains these achromatic neurons, whereas they do not stain for abnormally phosphorylated tau protein. Phosphorylated neurofilament antibodies recognise both ballooned and non-ballooned neurons. In this case, high densities of ubiquitin-positive ballooned neurons were found in frontal cortical regions with the highest densities in layers V and VI of the anterior cingulate cortex. In addition, high densities of ubiquitin-positive ballooned neurons were found in the insular cortex, claustrum and amygdala. These results confirm past reports of frontal pathology, but show that there is also considerable pathology in insular and parahippocampal cortical regions and some subcortical regions. Our findings suggest that the distribution and staining characteristics of ballooned neurons in corticobasal degeneration may help to differentiate these cases pathologically, while the absence of dementia appears to be an important clinical criterion.     

皮质基底节变性患者的蛋白质组研究

目的 探讨皮质基底节变性的分子机制并寻找诊断治疗该疾病的蛋白质标记物.方法 尸检来自解放军总医院死亡24 h内、经病理证实的男性皮质基底节变性患者(4例)脑及无神经系统疾患的正常老年男性(4例)脑组织,额叶、颞叶和纹状体部位取材,应用HE染色、Gallyas-Braak银染色和Tau蛋白免疫组织化学染色观察皮质基底节变性患者的脑组织学改变;额叶部位取材,以固相pH梯度等电聚焦为第一向,SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)电泳为第二向进行双向电泳,分析电泳图谱后采用MALDI-TOFTOF串联质谱仪进行蛋白质的鉴定.结果 HE染色显示皮质基底节变性患者额叶神经元明显脱失,伴胶质细胞大量增生,Gallyas-Braak和Tau免疫组化染色结果显示纹状体中大量球形团样缠结;与正常老年人脑组织比较,皮质基底节变性患者脑组织9个蛋白表达增加(经鉴定为coflin、尿嘧啶DNA糖苷水解酶、Cu-Zn超氧化物歧化酶、异柠檬酸脱氢酶亚单位、突触结合蛋白Ⅰ、硫氧还蛋白过氧化物酶1、胶质纤维酸性蛋白、P25alpha、Peroxircdoxin 5),5个蛋白表达下降(经鉴定为碳酰还原酶[NADPH]1、铁蛋白H链、肽基脯氨酸顺反异构酶A、血清白蛋白前体、二氢嘧啶酶相关蛋白2),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 上述差异蛋白有助于探讨皮质基底节变性的分子机制及其早期诊断和新药开发.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of corticobasal degeneration and search the protein markers ofdiagnoseis and treatment of this disease. Methods The brains of subjects died without clinical or pathological involvement of nervous system (n=4) and brains of patients with corticobasal degeneration (n=4) were obtained at autopsy. Tissues samples were cut from the frontal and temporal lobes, and the striatum. Histological changes of the tissue samples were observed by HE staining, Gallyas-Braak silver staining and Tau protein immunohistochemistry. The samples extracted from the frontal lobe were performed dimensional electrophoresis with immobilized pH gradient (IPG)isoelectric focusing electrophoresis as the first dimension and with vertical sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as the second dimension; the maps were visualized by Coomassie brilliant blue staining and analyzed with ImageMaster 2D Elite software; the protein profiles were in-gel digested and identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFTOF). Results Significant neuron loss in the temporal lobe of patients with corticobasal degeneration was noted by HE staining, with mass proliferation of gliocyte in the temporal lobe; sphere-like entanglement in the striatum was noted by Gallyas-Braak silver staining and Tau immunohistochemistry. Fourteen protein spots in the brains of patients with corticobasal degeneration were differentially expressed as compared with those in age-matched nondemented control brains; the expression of 9 proteins (cofilin, uracil DNA glycosylase,Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, isocitrate dehydrogenase subunit, synaptotagmin Ⅰ, thioredoxin peroxidase 1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, P25 alpha and peroxiredoxin 5) in brains of patients with corticobasal degeneration was up-regulated as compared with that in the normal brain tissue (P＜0.05); the expression of 5 proteins (carbonyl reductase [NADPH] 1, ferritin heavy chain, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A,serum albumin precursor and dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2) in brains of patients with corticobasal degeneration was down-regulated as compared with that in the normal brain tissues (P＜0.05).Conclusion We get a number of related-proteins of corticobasal degeneration. Some proteins are quite useful in discovering the molecular mechanisms of corticobasal degeneration and may be helpful in the ealry diagnosis and treatment of corticobasal degeneration and in the development of new medicine.     

Dopamine D2 receptor SPECT in corticobasal syndrome and autopsy-confirmed corticobasal degeneration

BackgroundCorticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tau-positive neuronal and glial lesions in the cortex and striatum with neuronal loss in cortical regions and in the substantia nigra. Striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding in autopsy-confirmed CBD has not been studied before.MethodsWe performed D2 receptor single photon emission computerized tomography using ¹²³I-IBZM in nine patients with a clinically diagnosed corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and on ten healthy controls. Two of the patients subsequently came to autopsy and were diagnosed with CBD.ResultsOverall striatal D2 receptor binding was preserved in 8/9 patients, but more asymmetric than in controls. Overall striatal binding in pathologically confirmed CBD was reduced in one case and normal in the other, and was lower contralateral to the clinically more affected side in both.ConclusionThis first study on D2 receptor imaging in autopsy-confirmed CBD demonstrates that loss of postsynaptic striatal neurons in CBD is a variable finding. Given the heterogeneity of our findings in pathology-confirmed cases, D2 receptor imaging seems to be of little practical value in the diagnostic workup of patients with CBS.     

Pathologically confirmed corticobasal degeneration presenting with visuospatial dysfunction

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) typically manifests as progressive asymmetric rigidity and apraxia, although other non-motor presentations have been reported. We report two patients with pathologically diagnosed CBD who presented with prominent visuospatial dysfunction. The pathological changes were maximal in the visual association cortices, but absent in 31 cases of pathologically proven CBD with more typical antemortem features. Underlying CBD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with findings reflecting posterior cerebral dysfunction.