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Journal articleShamshiri EA, Tierney TM, Centeno M, et al., 2016,
Interictal activity is an important contributor to abnormal intrinsic network connectivity in paediatric focal epilepsy
, Human Brain Mapping, ISSN: 1097-0193Patients with focal epilepsy have been shown to have reduced functional connectivity in intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), which has been related to neurocognitive development and outcome. However, the relationship between interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and changes in ICNs remains unclear, with evidence both for and against their influence. EEG-fMRI data was obtained in 27 children with focal epilepsy (mixed localisation and aetiologies) and 17 controls. A natural stimulus task (cartoon blocks verses blocks where the subject was told "please wait") was used to enhance the connectivity within networks corresponding to ICNs while reducing potential confounds of vigilance and motion. Our primary hypothesis was that the functional connectivity within visual and attention networks would be reduced in patients with epilepsy. We further hypothesized that controlling for the effects of IEDs would increase the connectivity in the patient group. The key findings were: (1) Patients with mixed epileptic foci showed a common connectivity reduction in lateral visual and attentional networks compared with controls. (2) Having controlled for the effects of IEDs there were no connectivity differences between patients and controls. (3) A comparison within patients revealed reduced connectivity between the attentional network and basal ganglia associated with interictal epileptiform discharges. We also found that the task activations were reduced in epilepsy patients but that this was unrelated to IED occurrence. Unexpectedly, connectivity changes in ICNs were strongly associated with the transient effects of interictal epileptiform discharges. Interictal epileptiform discharges were shown to have a pervasive transient influence on the brain's functional organisation. Hum Brain Mapp, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Journal articleMatthews PM, Hampshire A, 2016,
Clinical concepts emerging from fMRI functional connectomics
, Neuron, Vol: 91, Pages: 511-528, ISSN: 0896-6273Recent advances in connectomics have led to a synthesis of perspectives regarding the brain's functional organization that reconciles classical concepts of localized specialization with an appreciation for properties that emerge from interactions across distributed functional networks. This provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding neural mechanisms of normal cognition and disease. Although fMRI has not become a routine clinical tool, research has already had important influences on clinical concepts guiding diagnosis and patient management. Here we review illustrative examples. Studies demonstrating the network plasticity possible in adults and the global consequences of even focal brain injuries or disease both have had substantial impact on modern concepts of disease evolution and expression. Applications of functional connectomics in studies of clinical populations are challenging traditional disease classifications and helping to clarify biological relationships between clinical syndromes (and thus also ways of extending indications for, or "re-purposing," current treatments). Large datasets from prospective, longitudinal studies promise to enable the discovery and validation of functional connectomic biomarkers with the potential to identify people at high risk of disease before clinical onset, at a time when treatments may be most effective. Studies of pain and consciousness have catalyzed reconsiderations of approaches to clinical management, but also have stimulated debate about the clinical meaningfulness of differences in internal perceptual or cognitive states inferred from functional connectomics or other physiological correlates. By way of a closing summary, we offer a personal view of immediate challenges and potential opportunities for clinically relevant applications of fMRI-based functional connectomics.
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Journal articleIbitoye R, Kemp K, Rice C, et al., 2016,
Oxidative stress-related biomarkers in multiple sclerosis: a review
, Biomarkers in Medicine, Vol: 10, Pages: 889-902, ISSN: 1752-0363Aim: To provide an up-to-date review of oxidative stress biomarkers in multiple sclerosis and thus identify candidate molecules with greatest promise as biomarkers of diagnosis, disease activity or prognosis. Method: A semi-systematic literature search using PubMed and other databases. Results: Nitric oxide metabolites, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, protein carbonyl, 3-nitrotyrosine, isoprostanes, malondialdehyde and products of DNA oxidation have been identified across multiple studies as having promise as diagnostic, therapeutic or prognostic markers in MS. Conclusion: Heterogeneity of study design, particularly patient selection, limits comparability across studies. Further cohort studies are needed, and we would recommend promising markers be incorporated into future clinical trials to prospectively validate their potential.
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Journal articleFeeney C, Scott GP, Cole JH, et al., 2016,
Seeds of neuroendocrine doubt
, Nature, Vol: 535, Pages: E1-E2, ISSN: 0028-0836 -
Journal articleFagerholm ED, Scott G, Shew WL, et al., 2016,
Cortical Entropy, Mutual Information and Scale-Free Dynamics in Waking Mice
, Cerebral Cortex, Vol: 26, Pages: 3945-3952, ISSN: 1460-2199Some neural circuits operate with simple dynamics characterized by one or a few well-defined spatiotemporal scales (e.g. central pattern generators). In contrast, cortical neuronal networks often exhibit richer activity patterns in which all spatiotemporal scales are represented. Such "scale-free" cortical dynamics manifest as cascades of activity with cascade sizes that are distributed according to a power-law. Theory and in vitro experiments suggest that information transmission among cortical circuits is optimized by scale-free dynamics. In vivo tests of this hypothesis have been limited by experimental techniques with insufficient spatial coverage and resolution, i.e., restricted access to a wide range of scales. We overcame these limitations by using genetically encoded voltage imaging to track neural activity in layer 2/3 pyramidal cells across the cortex in mice. As mice recovered from anesthesia, we observed three changes: (a) cortical information capacity increased, (b) information transmission among cortical regions increased and (c) neural activity became scale-free. Our results demonstrate that both information capacity and information transmission are maximized in the awake state in cortical regions with scale-free network dynamics.
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Journal articleFeeney C, Scott G, Raffel J, et al., 2016,
Kinetic analysis of the translocator protein positron emission tomography ligand [18F]GE-180 in the human brain
, European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Vol: 43, Pages: 2201-2210, ISSN: 1619-7089PURPOSE: PET can image neuroinflammation by targeting the translocator protein (TSPO), which is upregulated in activated microglia. The high nonspecific binding of the first-generation TSPO radioligand [(11)C]PK-11195 limits accurate quantification. [(18)F]GE-180, a novel TSPO ligand, displays superior binding to [(11)C]PK-11195 in vitro. Our objectives were to: (1) evaluate tracer characteristics of [(18)F]GE-180 in the brains of healthy human subjects; and (2) investigate whether the TSPO Ala147Thr polymorphism influences outcome measures. METHODS: Ten volunteers (five high-affinity binders, HABs, and five mixed-affinity binders, MABs) underwent a dynamic PET scan with arterial sampling after injection of [(18)F]GE-180. Kinetic modelling of time-activity curves with one-tissue and two-tissue compartment models and Logan graphical analysis was applied to the data. The primary outcome measure was the total volume of distribution (V T) across various regions of interest (ROIs). Secondary outcome measures were the standardized uptake values (SUV), the distribution volume and SUV ratios estimated using a pseudoreference region. RESULTS: The two-tissue compartment model was the best model. The average regional delivery rate constant (K 1) was 0.01 mL cm(-3) min(-1) indicating low extraction across the blood-brain barrier (1 %). The estimated median V T across all ROIs was also low, ranging from 0.16 mL cm(-3) in the striatum to 0.38 mL cm(-3) in the thalamus. There were no significant differences in V T between HABs and MABs across all ROIs. CONCLUSION: A reversible two-tissue compartment model fitted the data well and determined that the tracer has a low first-pass extraction (approximately 1 %) and low V T estimates in healthy individuals. There was no observable dependency on the rs6971 polymorphism as compared to other second-generation TSPO PET tracers. Investigation of [(18)F]GE-180 in populations with neuroinflammatory disease is nee
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Journal articleCawley P, Few K, Greenwood R, et al., 2016,
Does magnetic resonance brain scanning at 3.0 Tesla pose a hyperthermic challenge to term neonates?
, The Journal of Pediatrics, Vol: 175, Pages: 228-230.e1, ISSN: 0022-3476Next-generation 3-Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) scanners offer improved neonatal neuroimaging, but the greater associated radiofrequency radiation may increase the risk of hyperthermia. Safety data for neonatal 3-T MR scanning are lacking. We measured rectal temperatures continuously in 25 neonates undergoing 3-T brain MR imaging and observed no significant hyperthermic threat.
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Journal articleJenkins PO, Mehta MA, Sharp DJ, 2016,
Catecholamines and cognition after traumatic brain injury
, Brain, Vol: 139, Pages: 2345-2371, ISSN: 1935-2875Cognitive problems are one of the main causes of ongoing disability after traumatic brain injury. The heterogeneity of the injuries sustained and the variability of the resulting cognitive deficits makes treating these problems difficult. Identifying the underlying pathology allows a targeted treatment approach aimed at cognitive enhancement. For example, damage to neuromodulatory neurotransmitter systems is common after traumatic brain injury and is an important cause of cognitive impairment. Here, we discuss the evidence implicating disruption of the catecholamines (dopamine and noradrenaline) and review the efficacy of catecholaminergic drugs in treating post-traumatic brain injury cognitive impairments. The response to these therapies is often variable, a likely consequence of the heterogeneous patterns of injury as well as a non-linear relationship between catecholamine levels and cognitive functions. This individual variability means that measuring the structure and function of a person’s catecholaminergic systems is likely to allow more refined therapy. Advanced structural and molecular imaging techniques offer the potential to identify disruption to the catecholaminergic systems and to provide a direct measure of catecholamine levels. In addition, measures of structural and functional connectivity can be used to identify common patterns of injury and to measure the functioning of brain ‘networks’ that are important for normal cognitive functioning. As the catecholamine systems modulate these cognitive networks, these measures could potentially be used to stratify treatment selection and monitor response to treatment in a more sophisticated manner.
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Journal articleIacovazzo D, Caswell R, Bunce B, et al., 2016,
Germline or somatic GPR101 duplication leads to X-linked acrogigantism: a clinico-pathological and genetic study
, Acta Neuropathologica Communications, Vol: 4, ISSN: 2051-5960Non-syndromic pituitary gigantism can result from AIP mutations or the recently identified Xq26.3 microduplication causing X-linked acrogigantism (XLAG). Within Xq26.3, GPR101 is believed to be the causative gene, and the c.924G > C (p.E308D) variant in this orphan G protein-coupled receptor has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of acromegaly.We studied 153 patients (58 females and 95 males) with pituitary gigantism. AIP mutation-negative cases were screened for GPR101 duplication through copy number variation droplet digital PCR and high-density aCGH. The genetic, clinical and histopathological features of XLAG patients were studied in detail. 395 peripheral blood and 193 pituitary tumor DNA samples from acromegaly patients were tested for GPR101 variants.We identified 12 patients (10 females and 2 males; 7.8 %) with XLAG. In one subject, the duplicated region only contained GPR101, but not the other three genes in found to be duplicated in the previously reported patients, defining a new smallest region of overlap of duplications. While females presented with germline mutations, the two male patients harbored the mutation in a mosaic state. Nine patients had pituitary adenomas, while three had hyperplasia. The comparison of the features of XLAG, AIP-positive and GPR101&AIP-negative patients revealed significant differences in sex distribution, age at onset, height, prolactin co-secretion and histological features. The pathological features of XLAG-related adenomas were remarkably similar. These tumors had a sinusoidal and lobular architecture. Sparsely and densely granulated somatotrophs were admixed with lactotrophs; follicle-like structures and calcifications were commonly observed. Patients with sporadic of familial acromegaly did not have an increased prevalence of the c.924G > C (p.E308D) GPR101 variant compared to public databases.In conclusion, XLAG can result from germline or somatic duplicati
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Conference paperWhittington A, Iturria-Medina Y, Evans A, et al., 2016,
MODEL TO DESCRIBE THE SPATIOTEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF MISFOLDED PROTEINS IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
, 27th International Symposium on Cerebral Blood Flow, Metabolism and Function / 12th International Conference on Quantification of Brain Function with PET, Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, Pages: 79-80, ISSN: 0271-678X
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