Aberrant Anterior Thalamic Radiation Structure in Bipolar Disorder: A Diffusion Tensor Tractography Study

Abstract

Disrupted white matter (WM) integrity in the anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) has been identified in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). We explored whether structural WM aberration in the ATR could be visually evaluated by diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). The study comprised 114 participants, including 57 patients with BD and 57 healthy controls (HCs). A poorly visualized ATR reflects an abnormal WM structure. We defined a poorly visualized ATR as one in which at least one ATR fiber bundle failed to reach to the boundary between gray and white matter. Poor ATR visualization occurred significantly more frequently in the left ATR of those with BD than in HCs (P = 0.042). Furthermore, we adjusted the fractional anisotropy (FA) value and when evaluation of a given ATR changed from good to poor, we defined that value as the optimal FA threshold. In the right ATR, we successfully classified BD and HCs with 71.1% accuracy (sensitivity = 89.5% and specificity = 52.6%) and an area under the curve of 0.76 using the optimal FA threshold of 0.28. The present results suggest that the optimal FA threshold can serve as a biological marker that distinguishes individuals with BD from HCs. Thus, visual evaluation of the ATR by DTT may prove to be a useful adjunctive diagnostic tool for BD in clinical practice.

White matter network disruption and cognitive correlates underlying impaired memory awareness in mild cognitive impairment

“…In the present study, the MCI-PA group exhibited significantly lower microstructural integrity of the anterior thalamic radiation than the MCI-NA group did. The left anterior thalamic radiation is a white matter bundle that connects the anterior and dorsomedial thalamic nuclei to the prefrontal cortex, mainly the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and it is involved in executive function and planning complex behaviors ( Niida et al, 2018 ). Thalamus activation has been linked to dispositional mindfulness ( Gartenschlager et al, 2017 , Wang et al, 2014 ), and lesions on the anterior thalamic radiation have been identified to be associated with apathetic manifestations in MCI ( Torso et al, 2015 ).…”

White Matter Changes With Rehabilitation in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The anterior thalamic radiation is known for its role in emotional processes and low FA in this structure is related to sadness (Coenen et al, 2012 ; Jia et al, 2014 ; Niida et al, 2018 ). Anterior parts of the cingulum , terminating in the frontal lobe, are also involved in attention and executive function (Takahashi et al, 2010 ; Chiang et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Moreover, similar to a key feature of CO-OP (Missiuna et al, 2001), emotions could be regulated when guided by a significant adult (e.g., therapist or parents; Williams et al, 2020). The anterior thalamic radiation is known for its role in emotional processes and low FA in this structure is related to sadness (Coenen et al, 2012;Jia et al, 2014;Niida et al, 2018). Anterior parts of the cingulum, terminating in the frontal lobe, are also involved in attention and executive function (Takahashi et al, 2010;Chiang et al, 2016).…”

Injuries in Left Corticospinal Tracts, Forceps Major, and Left Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus (Temporal) as the Quality Indicators for Major Depressive Disorder

“…Our study showed the presence of bilateral ATR damage in MDD. Previous studies showed that the FA decrease of ATR was also found in bipolar disorder (BD), indicating that ATR plays an important role in the onset of affective disorders [ 14 ], though this may be related to the different participants. The FA reduction in LCST has been widely reported in previous studies on BD, which is similar to the findings located in MDD in our study [ 15 ].…”