Correlation between cortical morphology and synaptic-associated proteins levels in poststroke aphasia: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Poststroke aphasia (PSA) is a major cause of disability after stroke.
• Mechanisms of early recovery in PSA are not fully understood, especially the link between synaptic proteins and brain structure.
• This study investigates the relationship between serum synaptic markers and brain alterations in PSA patients to understand recovery mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine correlations between serum synaptic protein levels and neuroimaging measures of cortical integrity in PSA patients.
• To elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying functional recovery in poststroke aphasia.
• To explore the relationship between structural brain changes and language outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 12 PSA patients and 12 healthy controls (HCs).
• Measurement of serum synaptic-associated proteins (e.g., α-SYN, BDNF, TrkB, CREB, GAP-43).
• High-resolution 3T structural MRI with Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) and Surface-Based Morphometry (SBM) analysis.
• Correlation analysis between protein levels, structural measures, and language scores.

Main Results:

• PSA patients exhibited altered serum levels of α-SYN, BDNF, TrkB, CREB, and GAP-43 compared to HCs.
• VBM showed decreased gray matter volume (GMV) in language-related regions (e.g., left postcentral gyrus, superior temporal gyrus).
• SBM revealed significant differences in cortical thickness (CT) and sulcal depth (SULC) in various brain areas, with correlations between left Precentral Gyrus CT and repetition scores.

Conclusions:

• PSA is characterized by distinct synaptic protein alterations and widespread gray matter atrophy.
• Reduced GMV, CT, and SULC in language regions suggest structural adaptation and synaptic plasticity are crucial for early recovery.
• Findings offer multidimensional insights into PSA's neurobiology, guiding future research and therapeutic strategies.