ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the changes in gray matter volume in depressive-like mice and explore the possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four 6-week-old C57 mice were randomized equally into control group and model group, and the mice in the model group were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) for 35 days. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to examine structural changes of the grey matter volume in depressive-like mice. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the grey matter of the mice was detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control mice, the mice with CUMS showed significantly decreased central walking distance in the open field test (P < 0.05) and increased immobile time in forced swimming test (P < 0.05). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the volume of the frontal cortex was significantly decreased in CUMS mice (P < 0.001, when the mass level was greater than or equal to 10 756, the FDRc was corrected with P=0.05). Western blotting showed that the expression of mature BDNF in the frontal cortex was significantly decreased in CUMS mice (P < 0.05), and its expression began to decrease after the exposure to CUMS as shown by immunofluorescence staining. The volume of different clusters obtained by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis was correlated with the expression level of mature BDNF detected by Western blotting (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The decrease of frontal cortex volume after CUMS is related with the reduction of mature BDNF expression in the frontal cortex.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Blotting, Western , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor , Cerebral Cortex , Depression/physiopathology , Frontal Lobe/pathologyABSTRACT
Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system, with the presence of chronic generalized pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, anxiety and depression symptoms. Higher amplitudes of the frequency band alpha2 have been associated with higher relaxationin this population. In the present study, we analysed the association between pain, anxiety, and the spectral power of alpha2 frontal in women with fibromyalgia. Thirty-one women diagnosed with fibromyalgia, for at least three months, took part in the study. Results revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between pain and anxiety levels. However, we found no association between the spectral power of alpha2 in the frontal cortex and the measures between anxiety and pain in the patients. Present findings emphasize the importance of understanding the cortical activity and the central control mechanisms in fibromyalgia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Pain/diagnosis , Women/psychology , Fibromyalgia/diagnosis , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Anxiety/psychology , Spectrum Analysis/instrumentation , Depression/psychology , Electroencephalography/instrumentationABSTRACT
Happle-Tinschert syndrome is a disorder causing unilateral segmentally arranged basaloid follicular hamartomas of the skin associated with ipsilateral osseous, dental and cerebral abnormalities including tumors. Although a case with hemimegalencephaly was previously described, this is the first report of Happle-Tinschert syndrome with discrepant short left leg, ipsilateral skin lesions, hemimegalencephaly and frontal polymicrogyria.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Male , Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome/diagnosis , Dental Enamel/abnormalities , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Hamartoma/diagnosis , Leg Length Inequality/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Malformations of Cortical Development/diagnosis , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , SyndromeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To report structural and functional neuroimaging studies exploring the potential role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in the pathophysiology of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders (PD). METHOD: A non-systematic literature review was conducted by means of MEDLINE using the following terms as parameters: "orbitofrontal cortex", "schizophrenia", "bipolar disorder", "major depression", "anxiety disorders", "personality disorders" and "drug addiction". The electronic search was done up to July 2011. DISCUSSION: Structural and functional OFC abnormalities have been reported in many PD, namely schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and drug addiction. Structural magnetic resonance imaging studies have reported reduced OFC volume in patients with schizophrenia, mood disorders, PTSD, panic disorder, cluster B personality disorders and drug addiction. Furthermore, functional magnetic resonance imaging studies using cognitive paradigms have shown impaired OFC activity in all PD listed above. CONCLUSION: Neuroimaging studies have observed an important OFC involvement in a number of PD. However, future studies are clearly needed to characterize the specific role of OFC on each PD as well as understanding its role in both normal and pathological behavior, mood regulation and cognitive functioning.
OBJETIVO: Relatar estudos de neuroimagens estruturais e funcionais explorando o papel potencial do córtex orbitofrontal (COF) na fisiopatologia dos transtornos psiquiátricos (TP) mais prevalentes. MÉTODO: Foi realizada uma revisão não sistemática da literatura no MEDLINE, usando como parâmetros os seguintes termos: "córtex orbitofrontal", "esquizofrenia", "transtorno bipolar", "depressão maior", "transtornos ansiosos", "transtornos de personalidade" e "dependência a drogas". A pesquisa eletrônica foi feita até julho de 2011. DISCUSSÃO: Foram relatadas anormalidades estruturais e funcionais do COF em muitos TP, particularmente esquizofrenia, transtornos afetivos, transtornos ansiosos, transtornos de personalidade e dependência a drogas. Estudos de aquisição de imagens estruturais por ressonância magnética relataram a redução do volume do COF em pacientes portadores de esquizofrenia, transtornos afetivos, TEPT, transtorno do pânico, transtornos de personalidade do grupo B e dependência a drogas. Além disso, estudos de aquisição de imagens funcionais por ressonância magnética empregando paradigmas cognitivos demonstraram alterações na atividade do COF em todos os TP anteriormente relacionados. CONCLUSÃO: Estudos de neuroimagens observaram um envolvimento importante do COF em vários TP. Entretanto, estudos futuros são claramente necessários para caracterizar o papel específico do COF em cada TP, assim como para a compreensão de seu papel tanto no comportamento normal como no patológico, na regulação do humor e no funcionamento cognitivo.
Subject(s)
Humans , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Frontal Lobe/physiopathology , Mental Disorders/pathology , Mental Disorders/physiopathology , NeuroimagingSubject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Glioblastoma/therapy , Hyperthermia, Induced/methods , Magnetic Field Therapy/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor/transplantation , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Glioblastoma/pathology , Rats, Wistar , Tumor BurdenABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Investigar a relação entre a espessura cortical medida pela ressonância magnética em regiões frontais e o desempenho em instrumentos que avaliam funções executivas em pacientes com HIV positivo. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 22 pacientes HIV-positivos, com déficits em funções executivas, sob terapia antirretroviral, idades entre 45 e 65 anos e escolaridade entre 3 e 20 anos. Foi realizada ressonância magnética com sequências convencionais, T1 3D, processado pelo Freesurfer para verificar espessura cortical. Instrumentos de avaliação das funções executivas: Teste de Trilhas, Wisconsin, Hayling, Dígitos (WAIS-III), fluência verbal ortográfica e Stroop. Para análise da relação espessura versus cognição, utilizou-se coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Correlações significativas foram encontradas entre escores de: Wisconsin e espessura das regiões pré-central e orbitofrontal lateral à direita e pré-central esquerda; Teste de Trilhas e espessura da área pré-central direita e cíngulo anterior caudal esquerdo; e Teste Hayling e espessura da área lateral orbitofrontal esquerda. CONCLUSÃO: As correlações existentes entre medidas de espessura cortical pela ressonância magnética e desempenho cognitivo sugerem que os déficits executivos em pacientes HIV-positivos relacionam-se a uma redução da espessura cortical das regiões frontais.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between frontal regions cortical thickness measured by magnetic resonance imaging of HIV-positive patients and their performance on instruments for assessing executive functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 22 HIV-positive patients in the age range from 45 to 65, schooling ranging between three and 20 years, with executive functions deficit and undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed with conventional T1-weighted, 3D sequences and the images were processed with the Freesurfer software to measure cortical thickness. The following instruments were utilized to evaluate the patients' executive functions: Trail Making, Wisconsin, Hayling, working memory (WAIS-III), verbal fluency and Stroop tests. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was utilized in the data statistical analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between: Wisconsin scores and the thickness of the right pre-central, lateral and left pre-central orbitofrontal regions; Trail Making scores and thickness of right pre-central and left anterior caudal cingulate areas; and Hayling Test scores and thickness of the left lateral orbitofrontal area. CONCLUSION: Correlations between cortical thickness measurements by magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive performance suggest that the executive function deficit in HIV-positive patients are related to a reduction in the thickness of the frontal cortex.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Cerebral Cortex/physiology , Executive Function , Executive Function/physiology , HIV , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Neuropsychological Tests , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , NeuropsychologyABSTRACT
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus may be associated with cognitive decline (CD) in older subjects. Aim: To determine if CD is more common among diabetic subjects that their non-diabetic counterparts. Material and Methods: Using a case-control design, 17 diabetic patients with a median age of 73 years (nine females) and 21 non diabetic subjects with a median age of 72 years (17 females), with a similar educational background, were studied. Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini mental State Examination (MMSE), using a cutoff point of 23, and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), that evaluated conceptualization, mental flexibility, motor initiative, sensibility to interference, inhibitory control, and environmental autonomy. The presence of any mental or organic cerebral disease, sensorial impairment or illiteracy were considered exclusion criteria. Results: Fifty nine percent of diabetic subjects and 24 percent of their non-diabetic counterparts, had a MMSE below the cutoff point (p = 0.03). An abnormal FAB was found in 29 and 14 percent of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, respectively (p = NS). Both tests were abnormal in 29 and 5 percent of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects, respectively (p = 0.05). Conclusions: In this group of subjects, CD was more common among diabetics than their non-diabetic counterparts.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , /complications , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Case-Control Studies , Hypertension/epidemiology , Interviews as Topic , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Mental Status Schedule , Neuropsychological Tests , Risk Factors , Tobacco Use Disorder/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Objetivo: este artículo revisa el concepto de hipersexualidad, las condiciones asociadas a dicho comportamiento así como los tratamientos indicados para el mismo.Métodos: llevamos a cabo una búsqueda en internet de artículos en lenguaje inglés publicados en los últimos 20 años (hipersexualidad, sexualidad humana, comportamiento hipersexual, ninfomanía).Resultados: la hipersexualidad es un cambio en las formas e incremento en la frecuencia de los comportamientos sexuales. La etiología de la hipersexualidad es compleja e involucra una variedad de mecanismos fisiológicos y psicológicos. Puede ser idiopática o el resultado final de muchos procesos de enfermedad subyacentes. La disfunción del lóbulo frontal y de otras áreas cerebrales puede conducir a la desinhibición en el comportamiento sexual y a hipersexualidad; esta condición también puede ser el resultado de otros trastornos neurológicos, psiquiátricos o efectos secundarios de medicamentos. Cuando la causa subyacente puede ser tratada, el comportamiento sexual desinhibido cesa. Conclusión: la hipersexualidad puede ocasionar conductas de difícil manejo, pero los métodos farmacológicos pueden controlar de manera exitosa estos comportamientos en la mayoría de los pacientes.
Objective: This article reviews the concept of hypersexuality, the conditions attached to such behavior and the treatments prescribed for it. Methods: We conducted an internet search for English-language articles published over the past 20 years (Hypersexuality, human sexuality, hypersexual behavior, Nymphomania). Results: Hypersexuality is a change in the ways and an increase in the frequency of the sexual behaviors. The etiology of hypersexuality is complex and involves a variety of physiological and psychological mechanisms. It may be idiopathic or the final result of many underling disease processes. The dysfunction of the frontal lobe and other brain areas can lead to the disinhibition in the sexual behavior and hypersexuality; this condition can also be the result of other neurological and psychiatric disorders or an adverse effect of medications. When the underlying cause can be treated, the uninhibited sexual behavior ceases. Conclusion: Hypersexuality can cause unmanageable behavior, but pharmacological methods can successfully control this behavior in most patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Clomipramine/pharmacokinetics , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/physiopathology , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacokinetics , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/pharmacokinetics , Libido , Erotica/psychology , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Satiety Response , Social Behavior Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
La bibliografía muestra disminución del volumen cerebral con el avance de la edad. Las variaciones en el lóbulo prefrontal son particularmente interesantes por la relación de éste con la personalidad. Objetivo: determinar por rango la edad la longitud de segmentos radiales trazados en imágenes parasagitales de resonancia magnética del lóbulo prefrontal de ambos hemisferios. Se procesaron por el programa Scion Image form Windows imágenes parasagitales de resonancia magnética de 38 casos femeninos de 41 a 84 años sin enfermedades neurológicas o psiquiátricas. Se trazaron y midieron en la región prefrontal de cada hemisferio 7 segmentos que se extendían entre el extremo anterior del cuerpo calloso y el borde del cerebro, formando entre sí ángulos de 30 grados que cubrían toda la superficie de la imagen prefrontal. De dorsal a ventral fueron numerados del 1 a 7. Se determinaron por hemisferio los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson (r) y su significación estadística entre edad (41-84 años) y longitud de cada segmento. En ambos hemisferios los 4 son negativos. Son estadísticamente significativos todos los del hemisferio derecho y los correspondientes a los segmentos 1 y 4 del izquierdo. Conclusión: la longitud de segmentos radiales trazados sobre imágenes del lóbulo prefrontal muestra disminuciones significativas con el avance de la edad. Los efectos más relevantes se observan en el hemisferio derecho.
The literature shows decreased brain volume with advancing age. Variations in the prefrontal lobe are particularly interesting due to their relationship with their functions. The aim of this study is to determine, according to age, the length of radial segments plotted in parasagittal magnetic resonance images of the prefrontal lobe of both hemispheres. Parasagittal magnetic resonance images of 38 female cases aged from 41 to 84 years, without neurological or psychiatric diseases, were processed by the program Scion Image for Windows. Seven segments extending between the anterior end of corpus callosum and the edge of the brain, forming angles of 30 degrees, covering the entire surface of the prefrontal image were drawn and were measured in each hemisphere and numbered 1 to 7 from dorsal to ventral. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and their statistical significance between age (41-84 years) and the length of each segment were determined in both hemispheres. All the r showed negative signs. The r corresponding to all the segments of the right hemisphere and to the segments 1 and 4 corresponding to the left hemisphere were statistically significant. Conclusion: the length of radial segments drawn on images of the prefrontal lobe shows significant declines with advancing age. The most significant effects are observed in the right hemisphere.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Death , Aging/pathology , Longitudinal Studies , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Reference Values , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
A 39-year-old female had been subject to headache, and intermittent seizures for 9 years and decreasing memory for one year, without obvious neurological signs. An MRI revealed a 2x2 cm contrast-enhanced Wiaa in the frontal lobe, with a cyst and peritumoral edema, which was not attached to the dura or falx. Preoperatively, it was diagnosed as a glioma. Total surgical removal of the lesion led to a favorable result. Post-operative histo-pathological examination showed characteristic Antoni A and B areas consistent with intraparenchymal schwannoma. Intraparenchymal schwannoma is an extremely uncommon lesion, which is seen mostly in young adults and children. The main clinical symptoms include rising-intracranial-pressure-related manifestations and associated seizure disorders. The possible developmental origins, histological, imaging features, and protocols of treatment for this entity are discussed
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Neurilemmoma/pathology , Neurilemmoma/therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Frontal Lobe/pathologyABSTRACT
El incesante avance de las neurociencias actuales ha comenzado a impactar en diferentes disciplinas; sin dudas una de las más influenciadas es el derecho. Así, las nuevas investigaciones echan un manto de lucidez sobre qué regiones son las encargadas de controlar y valorar nuestras conductas y cuáles podrían ser las consecuencias de la disfunción en dichas regiones. En consecuencia, el derecho penal comienza a interrogarse sobre la responsabilidad criminal en sujetos con lesiones o disfunciones cerebrales. Así, el objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar el impacto de las neurociencias actuales con relación a la imputabilidad.
The advance of neuroscience has begun to affect different disciplines; one of the most influenced is the criminal law. The new researches add light on what region are in charge of the control and value of our behaviour and which might be the consequences of the dysfunction in these regions. Therefore, the criminal law begins to ask about criminal responsibility in subjects with brain injuries or dysfunction. The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of the current neuroscience in criminal responsibility.
Subject(s)
Humans , Criminal Law/legislation & jurisprudence , Imputability , Neurosciences/methods , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Violence/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
With the purpose of displaying the spectrum of frontotemporal dementias and associated disorders we present a series of patients with: frontotemporal dementia (frontal variant), progressive nonfluent aphasia, semantic dementia, apraxia of speech, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with frontotemporal dementia. In addition we present cases of corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy that may be considered in the frontotemporal dementia spectrum. The diagnostic difficulties, which require of semiologic expertise more than complementary exams, are underscored. On the other hand the necessity of neuropathologic confirmation is emphazised, since the clinical manifestations are not always in accordance with the autopsy features.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Dementia/classification , Dementia/diagnosis , Frontal Lobe/pathologyABSTRACT
Performance on verbal fluency [VF] test is sensitive to lesions of the frontal lobes. We earlier developed two equivalent forms of formal VF in the Arabic language for use with healthy Saudi individuals. In 2000, we decided to improve our work by providing normative data for the VF test, and completed the work in the Riyadh Military Hospital in 2003. During this time, we managed to provide normative data for both Arabic versions of the VF test. Version 1 consists of the letters taa, raa waaw, and version 2 consists of the letters qaaf, daal, siin. A sample of 198 healthy adult Saudi individuals, aged 18 to 65 years, participated in this study. Subjects were classified into three age groups [18-30, 31-50, 51-65] and all performed the two versions of the Arabic VF test. Performance of the participants on the two versions of the VF test was correlated with age [r=-0.199], education [r= 0.729] and socioeconomic class [r= -0.691]. Performance on both versions is highly correlated [r= 0.891] with no significant difference between the number of words produced on the two versions. Normative data for participants are provided; and covariation method was used for education. The availability of this normative data will help the neuropsychologist in clinical assessment and in carrying out research on frontal lobe function
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Age Factors , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Socioeconomic Factors , Neuropsychological TestsABSTRACT
Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with unilateral proptosis and diffuse involvement of the cra-nial vault and brain parenchyma is extremely rare. A 50-year-old woman developed a progressively increasing proptosis of her right eye, associated with a subcutaneous mass over the right frontotemporal region over the last 5 months. CT scan showed a high-density contrast-enhancing lesion with wide involvement of the cranium and intracranial and intraorbital extension. We performed a wedge biopsy for further analysis. Histological examination revealed that the tumor was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There was no evidence of systemic involvement. The patient received radiotherapy and was doing well at 18 months' follow-up. Primary malignant lymphoma involving the orbit and cranial vault is a rare malignancy, and treatment remains to be defined.
Subject(s)
Biopsy , Bone Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Bone and Bones/pathology , Female , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Humans , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/radiotherapy , Medical Oncology/methods , Middle Aged , Radiotherapy/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The present study was designed to investigate the age related deposits of corpora amylacea [CA] in the human cadaveric brain. It is an observational study which was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. The duration of the study was two years. Sixty brain specimens [age 19-72 years] from cadavers were collected from the mortuary of the King Edward Medical University, Lahore and were divided into two groups, A and B comprising less than and more than sixty years of age respectively. CA were observed in memory related areas of the brain specially in frontal lobe and hippocampus. The presence and location of CA in two groups were compared with each other. Statistical analysis was carried out, using Chi Square test. The results showed significant increase in the presence of CA in frontal lobe and hippocampus with advancing age and the difference was statistically significance in these locations [p < 0.00005 and p < 0.0001] respectively. The presence and number of CA is age related; it is contended that it interferes with the function of neurons and presumably affects the memory
Subject(s)
Humans , Age Factors , Cadaver , Memory , Hippocampus/pathology , Frontal Lobe/pathologyABSTRACT
Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disease, characterized by excessive accumulation of copper in the body, particularly in the liver, brain, cornea and kidney, with variable clinical manifestations. The outcome of treatment depends on early diagnosis of the disease before major irreversible tissue destruction occurs. Early diagnosis might be difficult because of its diverse clinical manifestations. We herein report on a patient with severe clinical and imaging manifestations. The patient showed cerebral atrophy and extensive abnormalities in frontal lobes, the putamen, the thalami, cerebral peduncles and posterior aspects of the occipital lobes. Such wide spread changes involving the white matter as well as the gray matter is rarely reported
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Hepatolenticular Degeneration/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Brain/pathology , Atrophy , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Putamen/pathology , Thalamus/pathology , Occipital Lobe/pathology , Tegmentum Mesencephali/pathologyABSTRACT
Olfactory groove schwannoma is a very rare tumor breaking through the skull base and orbit. The tumor may also extend to the subfrontal region intradurally. A case of olfactory groove schwannoma in a 35-year-old female, originating from the left olfactory groove with left proptosis, diplopia, supra-orbital mass, and gross intracranial extension is reported. The presence of bony scalloping on CT and absence of meningeal tail on contrast enhanced MRI are in favor of the diagnosis. Histological examination and immuno-histochemical evaluation for S-100 protein, showed the tumor as a schwannoma. Total excision through a frontal craniotomy and skull base reconstruction are the main therapeutic steps