Absence of dentate nucleus resting‐state functional connectivity changes in nonneurological patients with gadolinium‐related hyperintensity on T1‐weighted images

Background

The dentate nuclei of the cerebellum are the areas where gadolinium predominantly accumulates. It is not yet known whether gadolinium deposition affects brain functions.

Purpose/Hypothesis

To assess whether gadolinium‐dependent high signal intensity of the cerebellum on T₁‐weighted images of nonneurological adult patients with Crohn's disease is associated with modifications of resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) of the cerebellum and dentate nucleus.

Study Type

Observational, cross‐sectional.

Population

Fifteen patients affected by Crohn's disease were compared with 16 healthy age‐ and gender‐matched control subjects. All participants underwent neurological, neurocognitive‐psychological assessment, and blood sampling.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5‐T magnet blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) functional MRI.

Assessment

High signal intensity on T₁‐weighted images, cerebellum functional connectivity, neurocognitive performance, and blood circulating gadolinium levels.

Statistical Tests

An unpaired two‐sample t‐test (age and sex were nuisance variables) was used to investigate between‐group differences in cerebellar and dentate nucleus functional connectivity. Z‐statistical images were set using clusters determined by Z > 2.3 and a familywise error (FWE)‐corrected cluster significance threshold of P = 0.05.

Results

Dentate nuclei RSFC was not different (P = n.s.) between patients with gadolinium‐dependent high signal intensity on T₁‐weighted images and controls. Pre‐ and postcentral gyrus bilaterally and the right supplementary motor cortex showed a decrease of RSFC with the cerebellum hemispheres (P < 0.05 FWE‐corrected) and was related to disease duration but not to gadodiamide cumulative doses (P = n.s.).

Data Conclusion

Crohn's disease patients with gadolinium‐dependent hyperintense dentate nuclei on unenhanced T₁‐weighted images do not show dentate nucleus RSFC changes.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy Stage: 5

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2B6rPQB