Neuroimaging abnormalities, neurocognitive function, and fatigue in patients with hepatitis C.
Title | Neuroimaging abnormalities, neurocognitive function, and fatigue in patients with hepatitis C. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Thames, AD, Castellon, SA, Singer, EJ, Nagarajan, R, Sarma, MK, Smith, J, Thaler, NS, Truong, JHien, Schonfeld, D, M Thomas, A, Hinkin, CH |
Journal | Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm |
Volume | 2 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | e59 |
Date Published | 2015 Feb |
ISSN | 2332-7812 |
Keywords | Internal |
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. |
DOI | 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000059 |
Alternate Journal | Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm |
PubMed ID | 25610883 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4299885 |
Grant List | R01 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 |