Chronic Cough-Related Differences in Brain Morphometry in Adults: A Population-Based Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Respiratory Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Cough hypersensitivity is linked to heightened neural responses and potential structural brain changes.
• Chronic cough may involve maladaptive alterations in central cough processing systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in regional brain volumes between adults with and without chronic cough.
• To determine if brain regions implicated in cough hypersensitivity show volume variations in chronic cough patients.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cohort study (Rotterdam Study) involving brain MRI scans and chronic cough interviews.
• Quantification of regional brain volumes using parcellation software in 3,620 participants.
• Multivariable regression models analyzed the association between chronic cough and seven pre-identified brain regions.

Main Results:

• Chronic cough was diagnosed in 9.6% of participants.
• Individuals with chronic cough had significantly smaller anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volume compared to controls.
• The volume reduction in ACC was more pronounced in the left hemisphere and in male participants.

Conclusions:

• Chronic cough is associated with a smaller anterior cingulate cortex volume.
• The ACC plays a role in cough suppression, and its reduced volume may be a contributing factor or consequence of chronic cough.