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OBJECTIVE: To discern presymptomatic changes in brain structure or function using advanced MRI in carriers of mutations predisposing to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: T1-weighted, diffusion weighted and resting state functional MRI data were acquired at 3 T for 12 asymptomatic mutation carriers (psALS), 12 age-matched controls and affected patients with ALS. Cortical thickness analysis, voxel-based morphometry, volumetric and shape analyses of subcortical structures, tract-based spatial statistics of metrics derived from the diffusion tensor, and resting state functional connectivity (FC) analyses were performed. RESULTS: Grey matter cortical thickness and shape analysis revealed significant atrophy in patients with ALS (but not psALS) compared with controls in the right primary motor cortex and right caudate. Comparison of diffusion tensor metrics showed widespread fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity differences in patients with ALS compared to controls and the psALS group, encompassing parts of the corpus callosum, corticospinal tracts and superior longitudinal fasciculus. While FC in the resting-state sensorimotor network was similar in psALS and controls, FC between the cerebellum and a network comprising the precuneus, cingulate & middle frontal lobe was significantly higher in psALS and affected ALS compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Rather than structural brain changes, increased FC may be among the earliest detectable brain abnormalities in asymptomatic carriers of ALS-causing gene mutations. With replication and significant refinement, this technique has potential in the future assessment of neuroprotective strategies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/jnnp-2015-311945

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry

Publication Date

06/2016

Volume

87

Pages

580 - 588

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Brain, C9orf72 Protein, Cerebellum, Cerebral Cortex, Cohort Studies, Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Corpus Callosum, Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Female, Frontal Lobe, Genetic Carrier Screening, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Nerve Net, Parietal Lobe, Proteins, Pyramidal Tracts, Superoxide Dismutase-1, Young Adult