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Sepsis-associated encephalopathy: a magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy study.

ABSTRACT: Brain dysfunction is frequently observed in sepsis as a consequence of changes in cerebral structure and metabolism, resulting in worse outcome and reduced life-quality of surviving patients. However, the mechanisms of sepsis-associated encephalopathy development and a better characterization of this syndrome in vivo are lacking. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to assess brain morphology and metabolism in a murine sepsis model (cecal ligation and puncture, CLP). Sham-operated and CLP mice were subjected to a complete MRI session at baseline, 6 and 24 h after surgery. Accumulation of vasogenic edematic fluid at the base of the brain was observed in T(2)-weighted image at 6 and 24 h after CLP. Also, the water apparent diffusion coefficients in both hippocampus and cortex were decreased, suggesting a cytotoxic edema in brains of nonsurvival septic animals. Moreover, the N-acetylaspartate/choline ratio was reduced in brains of septic mice, indicating neuronal damage. In conclusion, noninvasive assessment by MRI allowed the identification of new aspects of brain damage in sepsis, including cytotoxic and vasogenic edema as well as neuronal damage. These findings highlight the potential applications of MRI techniques for the diagnostic and therapeutic studies in sepsis.

SUBMITTER: Bozza FA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2949132 | biostudies-other | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor occurring in childhood and rarely found in adult. Based on transcriptome profile MB are currently classified into four major molecular groups reflecting a considerable biological heterogeneity: WNT-activated, SHH-activated, group 3 and group 4. Recently, DNA methylation profiling allowed the identification of additional subgroups within the four major molecular groups associated with different clinic-pathological and molecular features. Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutations have been described in several tumours, including gliomas, while in MB are exceptionally reported and not routinely investigated. By mean of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) we unequivocally assessed the presence the oncometabolite D-2-Hydroxyglutarate (2HG), a marker of IDH1 and IDH2 mutation, in a case of adult MB. Immunophenotypical work-up and methylation profiling assigned the diagnosis of MB, subclass SHH-A, and molecular testing revealed the presence of the non-canonical somatic IDH1(p.R132C) mutation and an additional GNAS mutation, also exceptionally described in MB. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of MB harboring both mutations together. Of note, tumour exhibited a heterogeneous phenotype with a tumour component displaying glial differentiation, with robust GFAP expression, and a component with conventional MB features and selective presence of GNAS mutation, suggesting coexistence of two different major tumour clones. These findings draw attention to the need of a deeper genetic characterization of MB in order to get insights into their biology and improve stratification and clinical management of the patients. Moreover, reported data underling the importance of performing MRS for the identification of IDH mutations in non-glial tumours. The use of throughput molecular profiling analysis and advanced medical imaging technology will certainly increase the frequency with which rare tumour entities will be identified. Whether they have any particular therapeutic implications or prognostic relevance requires further investigations.

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Sepsis-associated encephalopathy: a magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy study.

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