Neuroimaging abnormalities, neurocognitive function, and fatigue in patients with hepatitis C.

TitleNeuroimaging abnormalities, neurocognitive function, and fatigue in patients with hepatitis C.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsThames, AD, Castellon, SA, Singer, EJ, Nagarajan, R, Sarma, MK, Smith, J, Thaler, NS, Truong, JHien, Schonfeld, D, M Thomas, A, Hinkin, CH
JournalNeurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm
Volume2
Issue1
Paginatione59
Date Published2015 Feb
ISSN2332-7812
KeywordsInternal
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined neurologic abnormalities (as measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and diffusion tensor imaging), neurocognitive performance, and fatigue among a sample of adults with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We hypothesized that HCV+ individuals would demonstrate structural brain abnormalities and neurocognitive compromise consistent with frontostriatal dysfunction as well as increased fatigue compared to controls.METHOD: Participants were 76 individuals diagnosed with HCV and 20 controls who underwent a comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation and clinical assessments. A subset of the HCV+ participants (n = 29) and all controls underwent MRI.RESULTS: Individuals diagnosed with chronic HCV infection demonstrated greater fractional anisotropy in the striatum as well as greater mean diffusivity in the fronto-occiptal fasciculus and external capsule compared to HCV- controls. HCV+ participants also demonstrated lower levels of N-acetylaspartate in bilateral parietal white matter and elevations in myo-inosital (mI) in bilateral frontal white matter compared to HCV- controls (all p values < 0.05). HCV+ participants also demonstrated significantly poorer neuropsychological performance, particularly in processing speed and verbal fluency. HCV+ patients reported higher levels of fatigue than controls, and fatigue was significantly correlated with diffusivity in the superior fronto-occipital fasciculus, elevations in mI in frontal white matter, and overall cognitive performance.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HCV-associated neurologic complications disrupt frontostriatal structures, which may result in increased fatigue and poorer cognitive performance, particularly in those cognitive domains regulated by frontostriatal regions.

DOI10.1212/NXI.0000000000000059
Alternate JournalNeurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm
PubMed ID25610883
PubMed Central IDPMC4299885
Grant ListR01 MH083553 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R25 MH080663 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
U01 MH083500 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
U24 MH100929 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States