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Published on: June 26, 2013
Cortical microstructural changes in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a gray matter-based spatial statistics study
Hui-Wei Huang1, Jing-Yi Zeng1, Ying Tang2
1Department of Radiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
Background:
Brain structural alterations have been implicated in the pathophysiology of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). This study aimed to investigate cortical microstructural abnormalities and their correlation with cognitive impairment in MHE using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and voxel-wise gray matter-based spatial statistics (GBSS).
Methods:
The NODDI model was fit to multi-shell diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) acquisitions obtained from 35 healthy controls (HC), 41 cirrhotic patients without MHE (NHE), and 21 cirrhotic patients with MHE. The metrics of NODDI, including neurite density index (NDI) and orientation dispersion index (ODI), were compared among groups using GBSS. The relationships between NODDI-derived parameters and neurocognitive performance, measured by the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES), were assessed in the cirrhotic patients.
Results:
The MHE group showed decreased NDI in several cortical regions, primarily including the default mode network (DMN)-related regions, left insula, left middle frontal gyrus, bilateral lateral temporal cortex, and the sensorimotor, visual, and auditory cortices [family-wise error (FWE)-corrected P<0.05]. The regions with decreased NDI in the MHE group were more extensive than those in the NHE group. There was no significant difference in ODI across the three groups (FWE-corrected P>0.05). Reduced NDI in the right parahippocampal gyrus and lingual gyrus correlated with PHES in the cirrhotic patients (FWE-corrected P<0.05).
Conclusions:
This study provides evidence for the microstructural modulation of cortical neurites in MHE and contributes to our understanding of the latent biological basis of MHE-related cognitive impairments.
Insights
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is linked to brain changes. This study found reduced cortical neurite density in MHE patients, correlating with cognitive deficits, offering insights into MHE
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is associated with brain structural alterations.
- Investigating cortical microstructural changes is crucial for understanding MHE pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cortical microstructural abnormalities in MHE using advanced neuroimaging techniques.
- To correlate these abnormalities with cognitive impairment in MHE patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and voxel-wise gray matter-based spatial statistics (GBSS).
- Acquired multi-shell diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data from healthy controls (HC), cirrhotic patients without MHE (NHE), and MHE patients.
- Assessed NODDI metrics (NDI, ODI) and their relationship with cognitive performance (PHES).
Main Results:
- MHE patients exhibited decreased neurite density index (NDI) in various cortical regions, including default mode network (DMN) areas.
- Regions with reduced NDI were more extensive in MHE than in NHE patients.
- Lower NDI in specific regions correlated with poorer cognitive scores (PHES).
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence for cortical neurite microstructural modulation in MHE.
- Findings enhance the understanding of the biological basis underlying MHE-related cognitive impairments.
