Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Recent studies suggest that the autoantibodies against adrenergic/muscarinic receptors might be one of the causes and potential markers of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the structural network changes related to autoantibody titers against adrenergic/muscarinic receptors in ME/CFS by performing a single-subject gray matter similarity-based structural network analysis. ⋯ Our findings suggest that β1 AdR-Ab and β2 AdR-Ab are potential markers of ME/CFS.
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Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare clinical entity with a sudden onset of anterograde amnesia that recovers within 24 hours. The underlying pathophysiology is uncertain. Imaging studies are controversial, but diffusion-weighted images often show small diffusion-restricted lesions in the hippocampus, which may suggest ischemic damage. Thus, we conducted the first clinical study using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) to examine whether the microstructure and perfusion status of the hippocampus are influenced by the presence of diffusion-restricted lesions. ⋯ The first NODDI and ASL study in patients after TGA demonstrated no obvious microstructural or perfusion abnormalities in the hippocampus with typical DWI-positive lesions, which may indicate that TGA does not cause destructive damage or involve baseline microstructure or perfusion abnormalities in the hippocampus in relation to diffusion-restricted lesions.
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Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has helped many patients achieve functional independence. The effect of time-to-treatment based in specific epochs and as related to Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) has not been established. The goal of the study was to evaluate the association between last known normal (LKN)-to-puncture time and good functional outcome. ⋯ Decreased LKN-groin puncture time improves outcome particularly in those with good ASPECTS presenting within 6 hours. Strategies to decrease reperfusion times should be investigated, particularly in those in the early time window and with good ASPECTS.
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Long-term surveillance of intracranial pressure (ICP) in neurological/neurosurgical patients during ventilator weaning and early neurorehabilitation currently relies on clinical observation because neuroimaging is rarely readily available. In this prospective study, multimodal neurosonography and pupillometry are evaluated for follow-up monitoring. ⋯ Multimodal neurosonography may be a noninvasive means for long-term ICP assessment, whereas pupillometry may only detect rapid ICP changes during acute neurointensive care. The study also illustrates common pitfalls in neuromonitoring in general, with large numbers of pathological albeit nonsignificant findings. Additional controlled studies should validate the influence of detected subtle changes in ICP on neurological outcome.
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Both clinical autonomic dysfunction and involvement of autonomic nerves have been reported in a range of peripheral nerve disorders. We employed nerve ultrasound to assess the size of the vagus nerve in a serial study of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1B (CMT1B) as compared to healthy controls (HCs). We correlated these findings with involvement of the median and ulnar nerves. ⋯ The vagus nerve was involved to a similar extent as the median and ulnar nerves in CIDP and CMT1A, although no symptoms or signs of vagus nerve involvement were found. Further study should be performed to explore the clinical relevance of vagus nerve enlargement in these disorders.