Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is an early stage of dementia linked to Alzheimer's disease pathology. White matter changes were found in SCD using diffusion tensor imaging, but there are known ...limitations in voxel-wise tensor-based methods. Fixel-based analysis (FBA) can help understand changes in white matter fibers and how they relate to neurodegenerative proteins and multidomain behavior data in individuals with SCD.
Healthy adults with normal cognition were recruited in the Northeastern Taiwan Community Medicine Research Cohort in 2018-2022 and divided into SCD and normal control (NC). Participants underwent evaluations to assess cognitive abilities, mental states, physical activity levels, and susceptibility to fatigue. Neurodegenerative proteins were measured using an immunomagnetic reduction technique. Multi-shell diffusion MRI data were collected and analyzed using whole-brain FBA, comparing results between groups and correlating them with multidomain assessments.
The final enrollment included 33 SCD and 46 NC participants, with no significant differences in age, sex, or education between the groups. SCD had a greater fiber-bundle cross-section than NC (pFWE < 0.05) at bilateral frontal superior longitudinal fasciculus II (SLFII). These white matter changes correlate negatively with plasma Aβ42 level (r = -0.38, p = 0.01) and positively with the AD8 score for subjective cognitive complaints (r = 0.42, p = 0.004) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score for the degree of anxiety (Ham-A, r = 0.35, p = 0.019). The dimensional analysis of FBA metrics and blood biomarkers found positive correlations of plasma neurofilament light chain with fiber density at the splenium of corpus callosum (pFWE < 0.05) and with fiber-bundle cross-section at the right thalamus (pFWE < 0.05). Further examination of how SCD grouping interacts between the correlations of FBA metrics and multidomain assessments showed interactions between the fiber density at the corpus callosum with letter-number sequencing cognitive score (pFWE < 0.01) and with fatigue to leisure activities (pFWE < 0.05).
Based on FBA, our investigation suggests white matter structural alterations in SCD. The enlargement of SLFII's fiber cross-section is linked to plasma Aβ42 and neuropsychiatric symptoms, which suggests potential early axonal dystrophy associated with Alzheimer's pathology in SCD. The splenium of the corpus callosum is also a critical region of axonal degeneration and cognitive alteration for SCD.
The preprocessing of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data involve numerous steps, including the corrections for head motion, susceptibility distortion, low signal‐to‐noise ratio, and ...signal drifting. Researchers or clinical practitioners often need to configure different preprocessing steps depending on disparate image acquisition schemes, which increases the technical threshold for dMRI analysis for nonexpert users. This could cause disparities in data processing approaches and thus hinder the comparability between studies. To make the dMRI data processing steps transparent and adapt to various dMRI acquisition schemes for researchers, we propose a semi‐automated pipeline tool for dMRI named integrated diffusion image operator or iDIO. This pipeline integrates features from a wide range of advanced dMRI software tools and targets at providing a one‐click solution for dMRI data analysis, via adaptive configuration for a set of suggested processing steps based on the image header of the input data. Additionally, the pipeline provides options for post‐processing, such as estimation of diffusion tensor metrics and whole‐brain tractography‐based connectomes reconstruction using common brain atlases. The iDIO pipeline also outputs an easy‐to‐interpret quality control report to facilitate users to assess the data quality. To keep the transparency of data processing, the execution log and all the intermediate images produced in the iDIO's workflow are accessible. The goal of iDIO is to reduce the barriers for clinical or nonspecialist users to adopt the state‐of‐art dMRI processing steps.
To make the dMRI data processing steps transparent and adapt to various dMRI acquisition schemes for researchers, we propose a semi‐automated pipeline tool for dMRI named integrated diffusion image operator or iDIO. This pipeline integrates features from a wide range of advanced dMRI software tools and targets at providing a one‐click solution for dMRI data analysis, via adaptive configuration for a set of suggested processing steps based on the image header of the input data.
•The optic radiation presents at the basal cerebral surface at the level of splenium of corpus callosum.•Splenium of corpus callosum can be used as a land-marker of optic radiation under ...neuronavigation.•The results define the safety zone when approaching basal cerebral surface to avoid optic radiation injury.
Optic radiation protection is crucial in the basal temporal approach to the mesial temporal lobe. Clear description of the optic radiation in the basal brain surface is lacking. Our aim is to describe the anatomy of optic radiation in the basal cerebral surface and define safety zone of basal temporal approach avoiding of optic radiation injury.
Five brain specimens (10 hemispheres) were dissected using Klingler method to observe the course of the optic radiation. Diffusion tensor imaging data of 25 volunteers were used to verify the fiber dissection results. The relationship of the optic radiation to nearby structures were illustrated and measured.
The optic radiation bends from the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle to its bottom at a basal turning point of optic radiation (bTPOR). The bTPOR is at the plane crossing the center point of the splenium of corpus callosum. MRI measurements showed no significant difference in the distance from the center of the splenium of corpus callosum and the bTPOR to the occipital pole (59.46 ± 4.338 mm vs 59.54 ± 3.805 mm, p = 0.95). Anterior to bTPOR, no optic radiation fibers were found at the basal brain surface.
The bTPOR was found as a landmark of the optic radiation in the cerebral basal surface. With neuronavigation, the splenium of corpus callosum can be a landmark of the bTPOR. By approaching mesial temporal lesions using the basal temporal approach anterior to bTPOR, optic radiation injury can be prevented.
Cerebral neoplasms like gliomas may cause intracranial pressure increasing, neural tract deviation, infiltration, or destruction in peritumoral areas, leading to neuro-functional deficits. Novel ...tracking technology, such as DTI, can objectively reveal and visualize three-dimensional white matter trajectories; in combination with intraoperative navigation, it can help achieve maximum resection whilst minimizing neurological deficit. Since the reconstruction of DTI raw data largely relies on the technical engineering and anatomical experience of the operator; it is time-consuming and prone to operator-induced bias. Here, we develop new user-friendly software to automatically segment and reconstruct functionally active areas to facilitate precise surgery. In this pilot trial, we used an in-house developed software (DiffusionGo) specially designed for neurosurgeons, which integrated a reliable diffusion-weighted image (DWI) preprocessing pipeline that embedded several functionalities from software packages of FSL, MRtrix3, and ANTs. The preprocessing pipeline is as follows: 1. DWI denoising, 2. Gibbs-ringing removing, 3. Susceptibility distortion correction (process if opposite polarity data were acquired), 4. Eddy current and motion correction, and 5. Bias correction. Then, this fully automatic multiple assigned criteria algorithms for fiber tracking were used to achieve easy modeling and assist precision surgery. We demonstrated the application with three language-related cases in three different centers, including a left frontal, a left temporal, and a left frontal-temporal glioma, to achieve a favorable surgical outcome with language function preservation or recovery. The DTI tracking result using DiffusionGo showed robust consistency with direct cortical stimulation (DCS) finding. We believe that this fully automatic processing pipeline provides the neurosurgeon with a solution that may reduce time costs and operating errors and improve care quality and surgical procedure quality across different neurosurgical centers.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) tractography has been widely used in brain tumor surgery to ensure thorough resection and minimize functional damage. However, due to enhanced anisotropic uncertainty ...in the area with peritumoral edema, diffusion tractography is generally not practicable leading to high false-negative results in neural tracking. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of the neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) derived tractography for investigating structural heterogeneity of the brain in patients with brain tumor. A total of 24 patients with brain tumors, characterized by peritumoral edema, and 10 healthy counterparts were recruited from 2014 to 2021. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, we used the images obtained from the healthy participants for calibrating the orientation dispersion threshold for NODDI-derived corticospinal tract (CST) reconstruction. Compared to DTI, NODDI-derived tractography has a great potential to improve the reconstruction of fiber tracking through regions of vasogenic edema. The regions with edematous CST in NODDI-derived tractography demonstrated a significant decrease in the intracellular volume fraction (VF
ic
,
p
< 0.000) and an increase in the isotropic volume fraction (VF
iso
,
p
< 0.014). Notably, the percentage of the involved volume of the concealed CST and lesion-to-tract distance could reflect the motor function of the patients. After the tumor resection, four patients with 1–5 years follow-up were showed subsidence of the vasogenic edema and normal CST on DTI tractography. NODDI-derived tractography revealed tracts within the edematous area and could assist neurosurgeons to locate the neural tracts that are otherwise not visualized by conventional DTI tractography.
Background
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a novel MRI technique that enables noninvasive evaluation of microstructural alterations in white matter of brain. Initially, DTI was used in intra- or ...inter-hemispheric association bundles. Recent technical advances are overcoming the challenges of imaging small white matter bundles, such as the cranial nerves. In this study, we use DTI to shed more light on the microstructure changes in long-standing trigeminal neuralgia. We also utilize DTI to study the effect of early stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on the microstructures of the trigeminal nerve and to predict the effectiveness of early SRS in the treatment of medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia (TN)
.
Methods
To analyze the presentation of trigeminal nerve, the DTI was reconstructed in 21 cases pre- and post-SRS. DTI parameters recorded include fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), axial diffusivity (AD), linear anisotropy coefficient (Cl), planar anisotropy coefficient (Cp), and spherical anisotropy coefficient (Cs). Comparisons between ipsilateral (symptomatic) and contralateral (asymptomatic) trigeminal nerves and symptom durations of < 5 and ≧ 5 years were performed.
Results
The study cohort comprised 21 patients with TN with a median age of 66 years. Initial adequate facial pain relief (Barrow Neurological Institute facial pain scores I–IIIb) was achieved in 16 (76%) patients. For the pre-SRS DTI findings, ipsilateral trigeminal nerve was associated with higher baseline root entry zone (REZ) Cs compared to contralateral nerve (0.774 vs. 0.743,
p
= 0.04). Ipsilateral trigeminal nerve with symptoms of < 5 years was associated with higher baseline FA compared to trigeminal nerve with symptoms of ≧ 5 years (0.314 vs. 0.244,
p
= 0.02). For the post-SRS DTI findings, ipsilateral trigeminal nerves with symptoms of <5 years demonstrated decrease in Cl, while those with symptoms ≧ 5 years demonstrated increase in Cl after SRS at the ipsilateral REZ (− 0.025 vs. 0.018,
p
= 0.04). At the cisternal segment of ipsilateral trigeminal nerve, symptoms of < 5 years were associated with decreased FA and increased λ
2
, while symptoms of ≧ 5 years were associated with increased FA and decreased λ
2
after SRS (FA − 0.068 vs. 0.031,
p
= 0.04,
λ
2
0.0003 vs. − 0.0002,
p
= 0.02).
Conclusions
SRS provides high rates of initial pain relief with moderate rates of facial hypoesthesia. Ipsilateral trigeminal nerve was associated with higher baseline REZ Cs, and baseline FA was associated with duration of symptoms. There were significant associations between duration of symptoms and changes in ipsilateral REZ Cl, cisternal segment FA, and cisternal segment λ
2
after SRS. These preliminary findings serve as comparisons for future studies investigating the use of DTI in radiosurgical planning for patients with TN.
To evaluate the effectiveness of liquid nitrogen (LN(2)) vapor (indirect contact method) for the storage of human semen.
Experimental study.
University hospital-based fertility center.
We evaluated ...150 patients with normal sperm parameters.
Human semen (N = 120) was mixed with Semen Freezing Medium, divided into two groups, frozen, and stored in LN(2) or LN(2) vapor. Frozen semen from each group (n = 40) was thawed after storage for 1 week, 1 month, or 3 months and then analyzed. In the second experiment, semen (n = 30) was divided into four groups, frozen, and stored in LN(2) or stored 7 cm, 12 cm, or 17 cm above the surface of LN(2) for 1 week.
The motility and viability of sperm were evaluated by basic analysis, the morphology was analyzed with use of staining, the DNA integrity was assessed with use of terminal deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assays, and active mitochondria were detected with use of rhodamine 123 staining.
The LN(2) and LN(2) vapor groups did not differ with regard to sperm motility, viability, morphology, DNA integrity, or active mitochondria when the cryostorage periods were compared. Furthermore, the quality of sperm stored within 17 cm of the surface of LN(2) for 1 week did not change.
The storage of human semen in LN(2) vapor, without direct contact with LN(2), may represent a useful alternative for the effective storage of human semen.
Objectives: To investigate the natural courses of mild, moderate and severe idiopathic oligozoospermia, and which factors or semen variables were of utmost importance in predicting the courses.
...Methods: A total of 208 men (age 29–47 years) who were diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe idiopathic oligozoospermia in a 9‐year‐period between January 2000 and December 2008 were followed up for more than 6 months.
Results: Overall, 16 (24.6%) of 65 patients with severe oligozoospermia developed azoospermia, whereas two (3.1%) patients with moderate oligozoospermia developed azoospermia and none of the patients with mild oligozoospermia developed azoospermia. Initial follicle stimulating hormone level and testicular volume between the subgroups were significantly different (P = 0.0071 and 0.0039, respectively). The subgroup of patients who became azoospermic (n = 18) showed statistically significant differences in terms of body mass index and the level of prolactin (PRL) from the subgroup that maintained the initial lingering sperm count (n = 190; P = 0.0086 and 0.0154, respectively). As the vitality of semen variables increased 1%, the risk of progression to azoospermia diminished by 0.892‐fold, according to Cox's proportional hazards model analysis. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.755 and the sperm concentration value with the highest sensitivity and specificity was the reference value of 3–5 million/mL, with a sensitivity of 0.746 and specificity of 0.711 (P = 0.01).
Conclusions: Patients with severe oligozoospermia should be warned of the possibility of becoming azoospermic and hence sperm freezing should be encouraged as early as possible.
Abstract
The direct connections of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were traced with diffusion tractography imaging and statistical analysis in 50 humans, to help understand better its roles in emotion ...and its disorders. The medial OFC and ventromedial prefrontal cortex have direct connections with the pregenual and subgenual parts of the anterior cingulate cortex; all of which are reward-related areas. The lateral OFC (OFClat) and its closely connected right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) have direct connections with the supracallosal anterior cingulate cortex; all of which are punishment or nonreward-related areas. The OFClat and rIFG also have direct connections with the right supramarginal gyrus and inferior parietal cortex, and with some premotor cortical areas, which may provide outputs for the OFClat and rIFG. Another key finding is that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex shares with the medial OFC especially strong outputs to the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle, which comprise the ventral striatum, whereas the other regions have more widespread outputs to the striatum. Direct connections of the OFC and IFG were with especially the temporal pole part of the temporal lobe. The left IFG, which includes Broca’s area, has direct connections with the left angular and supramarginal gyri.
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