scholarly journals Altered hypothalamic microstructure in human obesity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Thomas ◽  
F. Beyer ◽  
G. Lewe ◽  
R. Zhang ◽  
S. Schindler ◽  
...  

AbstractObesity is a multifactorial disorder driven by sustained energy imbalance. The hypothalamus is an important regulator of energy homeostasis and therefore likely involved in obesity pathophysiology. Animal studies suggest that obesity-related diets induce structural changes in the hypothalamus through inflammation-like processes. Whether this translates to humans is however largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess obesity-related differences in hypothalamic macro- and microstructure based on a multimodal approach using T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquired at 3 Tesla in a large well-characterized sample of the Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases (LIFE) cohort (n1 = 338, 48% females, age 21-78 years, BMI 18-43 kg/m2). We found that higher body mass index (BMI) selectively predicted higher mean proton diffusivity (MD) within the hypothalamus, indicative of compromised microstructure in the underlying tissue. Results were independent from confounders and confirmed in another independent sample (n2 = 236). In addition, while hypothalamic volume was not associated with obesity, we identified a sexual dimorphism and larger hypothalamic volumes in the left compared to the right hemisphere. Using two large samples of the general population, we showed that a higher BMI specifically relates to altered microstructure in the hypothalamus, independent from confounders such as age, sex and obesity-associated co-morbidities. This points to persisting microstructural changes in a key regulatory area of energy homeostasis occurring with excessive weight. These findings may help to better understand the pathomechanisms of obesity and other eating-related disorders.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Thomas ◽  
F. Beyer ◽  
G. Lewe ◽  
R. Zhang ◽  
S. Schindler ◽  
...  

AbstractAnimal studies suggest that obesity-related diets induce structural changes in the hypothalamus, a key brain area involved in energy homeostasis. Whether this translates to humans is however largely unknown. Using a novel multimodal approach with manual segmentation, we here show that a higher body mass index (BMI) selectively predicted higher proton diffusivity within the hypothalamus, indicative of compromised microstructure in the underlying tissue, in a well-characterized population-based cohort (n1 = 338, 48% females, age 21–78 years, BMI 18–43 kg/m²). Results were independent from confounders and confirmed in another independent sample (n2 = 236). In addition, while hypothalamic volume was not associated with obesity, we identified a sexual dimorphism and larger hypothalamic volumes in the left compared to the right hemisphere. Using two large samples of the general population, we showed that a higher BMI specifically relates to altered microstructure in the hypothalamus, independent from confounders such as age, sex and obesity-associated co-morbidities. This points to persisting microstructural changes in a key regulatory area of energy homeostasis occurring with excessive weight. Our findings may help to better understand the pathomechanisms of obesity and other eating-related disorders.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382199128
Author(s):  
Hafize Emine Sönmez ◽  
Ferhat Demir ◽  
Semanur Özdel ◽  
Şerife Gül Karadağ ◽  
Esra Bağlan ◽  
...  

Objective: Takayasu arteritis is a rare granulomatous chronic vasculitis that affects the aorta and its main branches. Neurologic manifestations can accompany the disease; however, there is no study on neuroimaging in children with Takayasu arteritis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric Takayasu arteritis patients. Materials and Methods: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained retrospectively. Results: The study included 15 pediatric Takayasu arteritis patients. All patients presented with constitutional symptoms. Additionally, 6 patients suffered from headache, 2 had syncope, 1 had loss of consciousness, and 1 had convulsion. All patients underwent cranial and diffusion MRI a median 12 months after diagnosis. Cranial MRI findings were normal in 12 patients, whereas 3 patients had abnormal findings, as follows: stenosis in the M1 and M2 segments of the left middle cerebral artery (n = 1); diffuse thinning of the right internal carotid, middle cerebral, and right vertebral and basilar artery (n = 1); as a sequela, areas of focal gliosis in both the lateral ventricular and posterior periventricular regions (n = 1). Among these 3 patients, 1 had no neurologic complaints. Conclusion: Abnormal MRI findings can be observed in pediatric Takayasu arteritis patients, even those that are asymptomatic; therefore, clinicians should carefully evaluate neurologic involvement in all pediatric Takayasu arteritis patients.


2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Tomasino ◽  
M. Bellani ◽  
C. Perlini ◽  
G. Rambaldelli ◽  
R. Cerini ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe amygdala plays a central role in the fronto-limbic network involved in the processing of emotions. Structural and functional abnormalities of the amygdala have recently been found in schizophrenia, although there are still contradictory results about its reduced or preserved volumes.MethodIn order to address these contradictory findings and to further elucidate the possibly underlying pathophysiological process of the amygdala, we employed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), exploring amygdalar volume and microstructural changes in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 72 matched healthy subjects, relating these indices to psychopathological measures.ResultsMeasuring water diffusivity, the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for the right amygdala were found to be significantly greater in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls, with a trend for abnormally reduced volumes. Also, significant correlations between mood symptoms and amygdalar volumes were found in schizophrenia.ConclusionsWe therefore provide evidence that schizophrenia is associated with disrupted tissue organization of the right amygdala, despite partially preserved size, which may ultimately lead to abnormal emotional processing in schizophrenia. This result confirms the major role of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and is discussed with respect to amygdalar structural and functional abnormalities found in patients suffering from this illness.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 719-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye McDonald

AbstractThirty years ago, the neuropsychology of emotion started to emerge as a mainstream topic. Careful examination of individual patients showed that emotion, like memory, language, and so on, could be differentially affected by brain disorders, especially in the right hemisphere. Since then, there has been accelerating interest in uncovering the neural architecture of emotion, and the major steps in this process of discovery over the past 3 decades are detailed in this review. In the 1990s, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans provided precise delineation of lesions in the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, insula and somatosensory cortex as underpinning emotion disorders. At the same time, functional MRI revealed activation that was bilateral and also lateralized according to task demands. In the 2000s, converging evidence suggested at least two routes to emotional responses: subcortical, automatic and autonomic responses and slower, cortical responses mediating cognitive processing. The discovery of mirror neurons in the 1990s reinvigorated older views that simulation was the means to recognize emotions and empathize with others. More recently, psychophysiological research, revisiting older Russian paradigms, has contributed new insights into how autonomic and other physiological indices contribute to decision making (the somatic marker theory), emotional simulation, and social cognition. Finally, this review considers the extent to which these seismic changes in understanding emotional processes in clinical disorders have been reflected in neuropsychological practice. (JINS, 2017, 23, 719–731)


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-70
Author(s):  
Natalia Motorna

Abstract The article describes the results of histological and morphometric studies of liver in Balb/c mice with hemorrhagic stroke. The hemorrhagic stroke was modeled in the animals by administering autoblood in volume of 0.1 ml in the right hemisphere, and within 5, 10 and 30 days an analysis of structural changes in the liver was performed. Progressive changes were established in terms of 5-10 days of the experiment. This consisted of changes in the sinusoidal capillaries and notable changes in the central veins of the liver lobuli. Herein, acute dilatation and erythrocytal stasis were most pronounced around the lumen of the central veins, while hepatocytes with signs of necrosis (severe cytoplasmic swelling, vacuolar dystrophic changes) were detected in the sinusoid capillaries. The results of the morphometry indicated an increase in the area of the nucleus and the cells caused by intracellular swelling, domination of euchromatin and decrease of total density of chromatin in nuclei. Partial regression of the diameter of sinusoidal capillaries and the area of hepatocytes were detected on the 30th day of the experiment. The changes in the sinusoidal capillaries of the liver lobules are assessed as secondary to stroke, as well as to changes in organ microcirculation, and are associated with dystrophic changes in the hepatocytes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 71-74
Author(s):  
Anwar N. Hafedh ◽  
Awfa A. Aktham ◽  
Zahraa F. Al-Sharshahi ◽  
Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Jorani ◽  
Sama Albairamani ◽  
...  

Introduction:  Cerebral hydatid disease (CHD) is rare and the multiple-cystic variety is even rarer. In this paper, we report a case of multiple CHD and explore a possible link with a preceding spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).   Case presentation: A 27-year old gentleman with a history of surgically-evacuated, spontaneous ICH presented with severe headache, left-sided weakness - Medical Research Council (MRC) grade II - and recurrent tonic-clonic seizures, while on a full dose of anti-epileptic medication. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed multiple intra-axial cystic lesions in the right hemisphere. The cysts were removed intact using Dowling’s technique through a large temporoparietal craniotomy. The surgery went uneventful and the patient recovered as expected. Post-operatively, a prophylactic course of albendazole (200 mg) was prescribed. On his one-year follow-up visit, the patient was symptom-free and his weakness had improved (left upper limb: MRC grade IV and full power of the left lower limb). The computed tomography (CT) scan showed no new findings.   Conclusion: Primary cerebral hydatid disease is rare and the multiple-cyst variety is even rare. In this case, a peculiar association with a surgically-treated ICH was explored with possible theories to suggest future research directions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Policarpo ◽  
Valentina Longoni ◽  
Pietro Garofalo ◽  
Paolo Spina ◽  
Francesco Pia

Myoepithelioma is an extremely rare tumour subtype and diagnosis is based on a wide variation of cellular morphology. FNAC specimens do not always suffice for a definitive differential diagnosis which depends on histology and immunohistochemistry of the lesion.Case Presentation. A 54-year-old female came to our attention with dysphagia and dyslalia of 6-month standing. Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) examination revealed a voluminous mass on the right portion of the base of her tongue, where postcontrast T2-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evidenced a hyperintense lesion. The fine-needle aspiration specimen taken for cytology was not diagnostic, as a differential diagnosis between myoepithelioma and a malignant neoplasm of the salivary glands necessitates parameters that cytology alone cannot provide. Therefore, the whole lesion was excised by diode laser through a transoral approach. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the completely excised lesion confirmed a myoepithelioma.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matías Baldoncini ◽  
Alvaro Campero ◽  
Sabino Luzzi ◽  
Juan F Villalonga

Abstract Neurovascular procedures along the interhemispheric fissure harbor unique features differentiating them from those arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) located at the lateral surface of the brain.1-4  The aim of this 3-dimensional operative video is to present a microsurgical resection of an AVM in a subparacentral location, operated through an interhemispheric contralateral transfalcine approach.1,3,5  This is a case of a 29-yr-old female, with headaches and history of seizures. The patient presented an interhemispheric bleeding 6 mo before the surgery. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a vascular lesion located on the medial surface of the right hemisphere at the confluence between the cingulate sulcus and its ascending sulcus. In the cerebral angiography, a right medial AVM was observed, receiving afference from the right anterior cerebral artery and draining to the superior longitudinal sinus. The patient signed an informed consent for the procedure and agreed with the use of her images and surgical video for research and academic purposes.  The patient was in a supine position, and a left interhemispheric contralateral transfalcine approach was performed,1-3 a circumferential dissection of the nidus, and, finally, the AVM was resected in one piece.  The patient evolved without neurological deficits after the surgery. The postoperative MRI and angiography showed a complete resection of the AVM.  In the case presented, to avoid exposing the drainage vein first and to use the gravity of the exposure, the contralateral transfalcine interhemispheric approach was used,1,2 which finally accomplished the proposed objectives.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuta Kinno ◽  
Yoshihiro Muragaki ◽  
Takashi Maruyama ◽  
Manabu Tamura ◽  
Kyohei Tanaka ◽  
...  

Abstract Glioma is a type of brain tumor that infiltrates and compresses the brain as it grows. Focal gliomas affect functional connectivity both in the local region of the lesion and the global network of the brain. Any anatomical changes associated with a glioma should thus be clarified. We examined the cortical structures of 15 patients with a glioma in the left lateral frontal cortex and compared them with those of 15 healthy controls by surface-based morphometry. Two regional parameters were measured with 3D-MRI: the cortical thickness (CT) and cortical fractal dimension (FD). The FD serves as an index of the topological complexity of a local cortical surface. Our comparative analyses of these parameters revealed that the left frontal gliomas had global effects on the cortical structures of both hemispheres. The structural changes in the right hemisphere were mainly characterized by a decrease in CT and mild concomitant decrease in FD, whereas those in the peripheral regions of the glioma (left hemisphere) were mainly characterized by a decrease in FD with relative preservation of CT. These differences were found irrespective of tumor volume, location, or grade. These results elucidate the structural effects of gliomas, which extend to the distant contralateral regions.


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