1.
Neuroimaging Applications in Restless Legs Syndrome.
Rizzo, G, Plazzi, G
International review of neurobiology. 2018;:31-64
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies provide information useful to understand the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome. Molecular PET and SPECT imaging findings mainly supported dysfunction of dopaminergic pathways involving not only the nigrostriatal but also mesolimbic pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have used different techniques. Studies using iron-sensitive sequences supported the presence of a regionally variable low brain iron content, mainly at the level of substantia nigra and thalamus. The search for brain structural or microstructural abnormalities by voxel-based morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging or cortical thickness analysis has reported none or variable findings in restless legs syndrome patients, most of them in regions belonging to sensorimotor and limbic/nociceptive networks. Functional MRI studies have substantially demonstrated activation or connectivity changes in the same networks. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies showed metabolic changes in the thalamus, which is a hub of these networks. In summary, neuroimaging findings in restless legs syndrome support the presence of reduction of brain iron content, of dysfunction of mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways, and of abnormalities at level of limbic/nociceptive and sensorimotor networks.
2.
A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Lovastatin for Treating Bipolar Mood Disorder: A 4-Week Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Clinical Trial.
Lotfi, M, Shafiee, S, Ghanizadeh, A, Sigaroudi, MO, Razeghian, L
Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery. 2017;(2):133-141
Abstract
BACKGROUND No trial has examined the effect of lovastatin on the brain metabolites in patients with bipolar mood disorder. OBJECTIVES Current medications for treating bipolar disorders cause metabolic syndrome. It is supposed that lovastatin not only decreases the rate of metabolic syndrome but also impacts some brain metabolites and their ratio like common treatments that are measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. METHODS 27 Manic phase patients were randomly allocated into two groups, lovastatin and placebo as their adjuant medication. Clinical symptoms were assessed at baseline, weeks 2, 4. The brain metabolites were measured at baseline and week 4. RESULT Regarding the change of clinical symptoms, no significant difference was found between two groups. However, lovastatin significantly increased the level of NAA in cingulate gyrus in comparison to the placebo group. Moreover, lovastatin more than placebo increased creatine in the left basal ganglia. Furthermore, choline/ creatine showed a significant decrease in the left basal ganglia in lovastatin group. CONCLUSION Using MRS after treating with lovastatin showed lovastatin increases NAA in cingulate gyrus, indicating the possible effect of NAA for increasing the reduced viable neuron. Moreover, the increment of Cr by lovastatin in the left basal ganglia suggests the role of lovastatin for maintaining energy homeostasis, anti-apoptotic activity and ATP production in bipolar disorder. Some patents using lovastatin as an adjuant therapy for treating bipolar patients and depression in MDD patients are also outlined. This trial was registered in the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.irct.ir/) (IRCT201302203930N18).