Biomedical subjects

Rivka van den Boom

Publications and source records attributed to Rivka van den Boom.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy: MR imaging findings at different ages--3rd-6th decades.

PURPOSE: To depict various brain lesions that have been described in patients who have cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) with prospective standardized magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients of different age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with CADASIL in different age groups (20-30 years, n = 5; 31-40 years, n = 4; 41-50 years, n = 16; 51-60 years, n = 15) underwent transverse MR imaging with T1-weighted dual fast spin-echo, fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery, and T2*-weighted gradient-echo sequences. Images were analyzed by one neuroradiologist for the presence of areas of hyperintensity, lacunar infarcts, microbleeds, and subcortical lacunar lesions (SLLs) in different anatomic locations. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the presence of MR imaging abnormalities in various brain areas and for distribution according to age. RESULTS: The mean age of the 40 mutation carriers (21 women, 19 men) was 45 years +/- 10 (SD). In patients with CADASIL who were 20-30 years old, characteristic hyperintense lesions in the anterior temporal lobe (100% [five of five]) and SLLs (20% [one of five]) were the only abnormalities seen on MR images. In patients who were 30-40 years old, lacunar infarcts were found in 75% (three of four) of cases. More areas of hyperintensity were noted, and they frequently involved the external capsule, basal ganglia, and brainstem. In patients 41-50 years old, microbleeds were observed in 19% (three of 16). In patients older than 50 years, areas of hyperintensity (100% [15 of 15]), SLLs (73% [11 of 15]), lacunar infarcts (93% [14 of 15]), and microbleeds (47% [seven of 15]) were frequently observed. CONCLUSION: The four types of brain lesions that are observed in patients with CADASIL were seen in patients of different age groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of diagnostic NOTCH3 immunostaining in CADASIL.

CADASIL is caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. Although increasingly recognized as a disease entity, the diagnostic confirmation can be lengthy or inconclusive. Recently, NOTCH3 immunostaining of skin biopsy specimens has been introduced as a new diagnostic test. The aim of this study was to independently assess the diagnostic value of NOTCH3 immunostaining, and determine whether the degree of immunostaining correlates with other disease parameters. We determined NOTCH3 mutation carrier status in 62 symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals from 15 CADASIL families. Skin biopsy specimens of these individuals, as well as of a disease control group, were immunostained with NOTCH3 antibody and blindly analyzed by two independent observers to determine sensitivity and specificity. A semiquantitative NOTCH3 immunostaining score was correlated with clinical, genetic and MRI parameters. The sensitivity was 90.2% and 85.4%, respectively, for the two observers, the specificity 95.2% and 100%; both lower than previously reported. Certain NOTCH3 mutations may underlie false-negative results. False-positive results were found in a non-mutated control, and also in one disease control. There was no difference in immunostaining between symptomatic and asymptomatic NOTCH3 mutated individuals. Furthermore, the NOTCH3 immunostaining score did not correlate with clinical or MRI parameters. NOTCH3 immunostaining is a supportive, but not definitive, CADASIL diagnostic test, and should be interpreted in the context of clinical and radiological data. Confirmation by DNA analysis is requisite for positive results, and when there exists high clinical suspicion, also for negative results.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Incipient CADASIL.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. Knowledge of disease expression in young adult NOTCH3 mutation carriers (MCs) is limited. OBJECTIVE: To characterize clinical, neuropsychological, and radiological status in NOTCH3 MCs younger than 35 years. DESIGN: Clinical characterization and blinded survey comparing MCs with non-MCs. SETTING: Referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals younger than 35 years who were at a 50% risk of a NOTCH3 mutation, from our CADASIL database. Thirteen individuals, from 8 families, met the criteria. METHODS: Comprehensive clinical, genetic, neuropsychological, and radiological investigations. Magnetic resonance images were scored according to a standardized white matter hyperintensities rating scale. RESULTS: Six individuals, from 5 families, were MCs. Clinical symptoms consisted of migraine (with aura), stroke, and stroke-like episodes. We did not find evidence for psychiatric disturbances, functional disability, or cognitive dysfunction, compared with non-MCs. Radiologically, a characteristic magnetic resonance imaging lesion pattern emerged for all MCs. This comprised white matter hyperintensities in the anterior temporal lobes, the frontal lobes, and the periventricular frontal caps. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine (with aura) and stroke can present in NOTCH3 MCs younger than 35 years; however, more importantly, physical function and cognition are intact. Possible subtle cognitive dysfunction needs to be assessed in a larger study. White matter hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging are characteristic, and are consistently visualized from the age of 21 years and onward. Awareness of the clinical and radiological features of CADASIL in those younger than 35 years should increase early diagnosis and allow for customized counseling of young adults from families with CADASIL.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Cerebral hemodynamics and white matter hyperintensities in CADASIL.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary small-vessel disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene on chromosome 19. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), subcortical white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarcts are visualized. It is unknown whether a decrease in cerebral blood flow or cerebrovascular reactivity is primarily responsible for the development of white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarcts. The authors used phase-contrast MRI in 40 NOTCH3 mutation carriers (mean age 45 +/- 10 years) and 22 nonmutated family members (mean age 39 +/- 12 years), to assess baseline total cerebral blood flow (TCBF) and cerebrovascular reactivity after acetazolamide. Mean baseline TCBF was significantly decreased in NOTCH3 mutation carriers. In young subjects, baseline TCBF was significantly lower than in nonmutation carriers (mean difference 124 mL/min). Furthermore, baseline TCBF did not differ significantly between mutation carriers with minimal and mutation carriers with moderate or severe white matter hyperintensities. No significant difference in mean cerebrovascular reactivity was found between mutation carriers and nonmutation carriers. This study suggests that a decrease in baseline TCBF in NOTCH3 mutation carriers precedes the development of white matter hyperintensities.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

No influence of melatonin on cerebral blood flow in humans.

Melatonin has been attributed a role in a number of physiological processes. Changes in distal skin temperature and blood pressure after intake of melatonin suggest that melatonin induces peripheral vasodilation. The effect on the cerebral blood flow is still unknown. We examined the effect of a single pulse of melatonin on cerebral and peripheral blood flow, using the latter as a positive control. Ten male healthy volunteers (mean age, 22 +/- 3.2 yr) participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. On one occasion 10 microg melatonin were infused i.v., and on the other occasion saline was infused as the matching placebo. Cerebral blood flow was measured using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Peripheral blood flow was determined from changes in the distal to proximal skin temperature gradient and finger pulse volume. Serum melatonin concentration increased from 12 +/- 5 pg/ml at baseline to 487 +/- 377 pg/ml at 5 min and 156 +/- 68 pg/ml at 10 min after melatonin administration. There was no significantly different time course for cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular resistance. Compared with placebo, melatonin significantly increased peripheral blood flow, as measured by distal to proximal skin temperature gradient and finger pulse volume. These data demonstrate that melatonin does not have an acute regulatory effect on cerebral blood flow in humans.

Adult↗