ABSTRACT
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the elderly often reveals white matter changes (WMCs) with substantial variability across individuals.Our study was designed to explore MRI features and site-specific factors of ischemic WMCs.Clinical data of consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic cerebral vascular disease who had undergone brain MRI were collected and analyzed.Multi-logistic regression analysis comparing patients with mild versus severe WMCs was performed to detect independent associations.Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to detect regionally specific differences in lesions.We found that lesion distribution differed significantly across five cerebral areas,with lesions being predominant in the frontal lobe and parieto-occipital area.To explore WMCs risk factors,after adjusting for gender,diabetes mellitus,and hypertension,only age (P＜0.01),creatinine (P=0.01),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P=0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P=0.03) were found to be independently associated with severe WMCs.Age (P＜0.001) was strongly associated with WMCs in the frontal lobe while hypertension was independently related to lesions in the basal ganglia (P=0.048) or infratentorial area (P=0.016).In conclusion,MRI of WMCs showed that ischemic WMCs occurred mostly in the frontal lobe and parieto-occipital area.The infratentorial area was least affected by WMCs.Typically,age-related WMCs were observed in the frontal lobes,while hypertension-related WMCs tended to occur in the basal ganglia and infratentorial area.
ABSTRACT
Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the elderly often reveals white matter changes (WMCs) with substantial variability across individuals.Our study was designed to explore MRI features and site-specific factors of ischemic WMCs.Clinical data of consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic cerebral vascular disease who had undergone brain MRI were collected and analyzed.Multi-logistic regression analysis comparing patients with mild versus severe WMCs was performed to detect independent associations.Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to detect regionally specific differences in lesions.We found that lesion distribution differed significantly across five cerebral areas,with lesions being predominant in the frontal lobe and parieto-occipital area.To explore WMCs risk factors,after adjusting for gender,diabetes mellitus,and hypertension,only age (P＜0.01),creatinine (P=0.01),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P=0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P=0.03) were found to be independently associated with severe WMCs.Age (P＜0.001) was strongly associated with WMCs in the frontal lobe while hypertension was independently related to lesions in the basal ganglia (P=0.048) or infratentorial area (P=0.016).In conclusion,MRI of WMCs showed that ischemic WMCs occurred mostly in the frontal lobe and parieto-occipital area.The infratentorial area was least affected by WMCs.Typically,age-related WMCs were observed in the frontal lobes,while hypertension-related WMCs tended to occur in the basal ganglia and infratentorial area.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It has not been solved what kind of needle sensation might influence outcomes of acupuncture treatment. Effects of personality factors on the therapeutic effect of acupuncture have not been investigated. This study aimed to find the effects of the traits of personality on the objective outcome when different acupuncture techniques were used in treating patients with Bell's palsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for Bell's palsy. Patients were randomly assigned to the de qi and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome was facial nerve function at month 6. The intensity of each needle sensation was rated by a visual analog scale. Psychosocial factors were assessed by the pretreatment mediator questionnaire; 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) was used for assessing personality factors and digit cancellation test for assessing attention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 months, patients in the de qi group had better facial function (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 4.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.23-7.78). Path analysis showed that intensity of needle sensation of fullness had direct effect on House-Brackmann (HB) score at month 6. In de qi group, the low HB score on day 1 (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03-0.45) and the low Social Boldness score (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.97) in 16PF were associated with better facial function. In control group, low HB score on day 1 (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13-0.50), low Vigilance score (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.50-0.88), and high Tension score (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.12-1.77) in 16PF were related to better facial function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The needle sensation of fullness could predict better facial function and personality traits might influence outcomes of acupuncture treatment. Both of them should be considered seriously in acupuncture treatment and research.</p>