Stereological Evaluation of the Brains in Patients with Parkinson’s disease Compared to Controls

Heidari, Zahra; Moghtaderi, Ali; Mahmoudzadeh‐Sagheb, Hamidreza; Gorgich, Enam Alhagh Charkhat

doi:10.1515/rrlm-2017-0010

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The brain structural MRIs from patients with schizophrenia and controls were captured using three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution T1-weighted MR 1.5 T scanner system (GE systems, Paris). Next, point-counting grids that contained organized points superimposed on MRI scans and points hit to the desired regions of the brain were computed by Cavalieri's point-counting method as described in our previous studies (Heidari et al, 2020;Heidari, Moghtaderi, et al, 2017).…”

Section: Mri Protocol and Volumetric Estimationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In numerous investigations, stereological technique is the recommended approach for the estimation of quantitative parameters of the brain in normal aging, neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia (Heidari, Moghtaderi, Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb, & Gorgich, 2017;Pakkenberg, Scheel-Krüger, & Kristiansen, 2009). These exact and unbiased findings help us to obtain a better perception of underlying mechanisms and alternations in development and progression in different phases (acute, chronic) of the disease (Kipp, Kiessling, Hochstrasser, Roggenkamp, & Schmitz, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Quantitative volumetric brain measurements on MRI scan in patients with neurodegenerative disease owing to selective regional atrophy are beneficial for clinicians to ascertain disease progression and to evaluate volume alternations and response to treatment (Ciumas, Montavont, & Ryvlin, 2008;Heidari, Moghtaderi, et al, 2017). A previous study conducted by our team on brain MRI scans of methamphetamine abusers showed that volume loss was significant in some areas of the brain in drug abusers compared to that in controls (Heidari, Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb, Shakiba, & Gorgich, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another volumetric study based on Cavalieri's point counting method on brain MRI scans of patients with Parkinson's disease revealed that volume reduction in some regions of the brain in these patients was significant compared to that in the controls. These studies suggested that quantitative evaluation of MRI scans might be beneficial for clinical applications and to analyze clinical manifestations in patients (Heidari, Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb, Moghtaderi, Ramazanpour, & Gorgich, 2020;Heidari, Moghtaderi, et al, 2017). Therefore, the main goal of the current study is estimate volumetric analysis of brain MRI scans in patients with schizophrenia and compare the results with the controls.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Brain Structural Changes in Schizophrenia Patients Compared to the Control: An MRI-based Cavalieri’s Method

Heidari

Mahmoudzadeh‐Sagheb

Shakiba

et al. 2023

BCN

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Introduction: Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic brain disorder. One of the probable mechanisms can be volumetric changes in some brain regions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to estimate quantitative analysis of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with schizophrenia compared to the controls. Methods: This case–control study was conducted on MRI scans of 20 patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran. MRIs with 4 mm slice thickness and 5 mm intervals in coronal and sagittal planes were captured. Then, quantitative parameters including volume and volume density of various brain regions were estimated in both groups using Cavalieri's point counting method. Data analyses performed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The findings of this investigation revealed that volumes of gray matter, hippocampus, and gray/white matter in patients with schizophrenia were significantly lower than the controls (p˂0.05). The volumes of lateral ventricles in patients with schizophrenia (36.60±4/32 mm3) were significantly higher than the healthy individuals (30.10±7.98 mm3). However, there were no statistically significant changes in the total volume of brain, cerebral hemispheres, white matter, brain stem, cerebellum, and corpus callosum between the two groups (p˃0.05). Conclusion: Volumetric estimations on brain MRI-based stereological technique can be helpful for elucidation of structural changes, follow-up the treatment trends, and evaluating the therapeutic situation in schizophrenia patients. Volumetric alternations in specific brain areas might be linked to cognitive impairments and severity of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Further researches are needed in this regards.

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Section: Mri Protocol and Volumetric Estimationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Brain Structural Changes in Schizophrenia Patients Compared to the Control: An MRI-based Cavalieri’s Method

Heidari

Mahmoudzadeh‐Sagheb

Shakiba

et al. 2023

BCN

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“…the volumes and volume densities of desired brain regions were estimated and compared between the 2 groups (35,36). All volumes of the desired regions of the brain were reported in cm 3 ( Figure 1).…”

Section: Mri Procedures and Stereological Estimationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stereological Analysis of the Brain in Methamphetamine Abusers Compared to the Controls

Heidari

Mahmoudzadeh‐Sagheb

Shakiba

et al. 2017

Int J High Risk Behav Addict

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Background: Methamphetamine (MA) is an addictive and stimulant drug that its abuse causes psychological and cognitive symptoms. MA abuse can cause structural changes in the brain. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate stereological changes of the brains of MA abusers, compared to the controls. Patients and Methods:The current case-control study was conducted on magnetic resonance (MR) images from MA abusers and healthy controls (n = 10 in each group), in Zahedan, Iran. The convenience sampling method was employed to select the subjects. MR images of the brains of the 2 groups in frontal, coronal, and sagittal axes with 4-mm slide thickness and 0.5-mm intervals were acquired. Parameters including total volume (V) and volume density (Vv) of different parts of the brain were estimated based on the Cavalieri point counting stereological method. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U-test were applied. The significance level was considered P < 0.05. Results:The results showed that the volume of the cerebellum, the volume and volume density of the ventricles, and gray matter volume and volume density, and the basal ganglia volume density in MA group was significantly smaller than those of the controls (P < 0.05). But, white matter volume and volume density in the MA abusers were significantly larger than those of the healthy subjects (P < 0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences between the total brain, the hippocampus, and the basal ganglia volumes between the 2 groups. Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, MA abuse can cause structural changes in the brain components. MR imaging by the stereological methods can be employed as a technique to determine the level of such damages in substance abusers.

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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels as a candidate biomarker for withdrawal in crack heroin dependence

Charkhat Gorgich,

Rigi,

Fanaei

et al. 2024

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

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Background Crack heroin is a novel opiate derivative with highly addictive properties and unfamiliar health consequences. It causes a variety of brain dysfunctions that are mediated by neurochemical alterations and abnormal neuroplasticity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a widely recognized biological marker implicated in the neuropathology of substance use during substance use disorder and withdrawal. Its involvement can significantly contribute to the severity of withdrawal symptoms. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate BDNF levels in crack heroin users before and after withdrawal. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 148 male participants were recruited and divided into two groups: persons with crack heroin use disorder (n = 74) and the controls (n = 74). The BDNF serum levels were measured in both crack heroin users and control groups upon hospitalization and again after twenty-one days of withdrawal using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The results demonstrated that BDNF levels in persons with crack heroin use disorder upon admission were significantly lower than the levels observed upon discharge and in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in BDNF levels was found between persons with crack heroin use disorder at admission and discharge (p = 0.038). Furthermore, BDNF levels showed an inverse correlation with the daily dose of substance use (r= -0.420, p = 0.03) and the duration of crack heroin use (r= -0.235, p = 0.001). Conclusions A progressive increment in BDNF levels during early detoxification is associated with the daily amount of substance use and the duration of substance use. Our findings suggest that changes in BDNF serum levels during crack heroin use disorder and withdrawal could serve as potential biomarkers for assessing the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and substance use-related behaviors.

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Stereological Evaluation of the Brains in Patients with Parkinson’s disease Compared to Controls

Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder. A tetrad of bradykinesia

Cited by 5 publications

References 41 publications

Brain Structural Changes in Schizophrenia Patients Compared to the Control: An MRI-based Cavalieri’s Method

Brain Structural Changes in Schizophrenia Patients Compared to the Control: An MRI-based Cavalieri’s Method

Stereological Analysis of the Brain in Methamphetamine Abusers Compared to the Controls

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor serum levels as a candidate biomarker for withdrawal in crack heroin dependence

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