Linking Striatal Dopaminergic Asymmetry with Personality Traits: Insights from Gambling Disorder

The role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of gambling disorder (GD) remains incompletely understood, with disparate research findings concerning presynaptic and postsynaptic structures and dopaminergic synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate potential correlations between striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) lateralization and asymmetry index, as assessed by 123I-FP-CIT SPECT, and temperamental traits, as measured by Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), in GD subjects. Significant associations were found between DAT binding asymmetries in the caudate and putamen and the temperamental dimensions of harm avoidance and novelty seeking. Specifically, high novelty seeking scores correlated with increased DAT binding in the left caudate relative to the right, whereas higher harm avoidance scores corresponded to increased DAT binding in the right putamen relative to the left. These observations potentially imply that the asymmetry in DAT expression in the basal ganglia could be an outcome of hemispheric asymmetry in emotional processing and behavioural guidance. In summary, our study provides evidence supporting the relationship between DAT asymmetries, temperamental dimensions and GD. Future investigations could be directed towards examining postsynaptic receptors to gain a more comprehensive understanding of dopamine's influence within the basal ganglia circuit in disordered gambling. If confirmed in larger cohorts, these findings could have substantial implications for the tailoring of individualized neuromodulation therapies in the treatment of behavioural addictions

Intranasal human-recombinant NGF administration improves outcome in children with post-traumatic unresponsive wakefulness syndrome

BackgroundSevere traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most dramatic events in pediatric age and, despite advanced neuro-intensive care, the survival rate of these patients remains low. Children suffering from severe TBI show long-term sequelae, more pronounced in behavioral, neurological and neuropsychological functions leading to, in the most severe cases, an unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS). Currently, no effective treatments can restore neuronal loss or produce significant improvement in these patients. In experimental animal models, human- recombinant Nerve Growth Factor (hr-NGF) promotes neural recovery supporting neuronal growth, differentiation and survival of brain cells and up-regulating the neurogenesis-associated processes. Only a few studies reported the efficacy of intranasal hr-NGF administration in children with post- traumatic UWS.MethodsChildren with the diagnosis of post-traumatic UWS were enrolled. These patients underwent a treatment with intranasal hr-NGF administration, at a total dose of 50 gamma/kg, three times a day for 7 consecutive days. The treatment schedule was performed for 4 cycles, at one month distance each. Neuroradiogical evaluation by Positron Emission Tomography scan (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Electroencephalography (EEG), and Power Spectral Density (PSD) was determined before the treatment and one month after the end. Neurological assessment was also deepened by using modified Ashworth Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure, and Disability Rating Scale.ResultsThree children with post-traumatic UWS were treated. hr-NGF administration improved functional (PET and SPECT) and electrophysiological (EEG and PSD) assessment. Also clinical conditions improved, mainly for the reduction of spasticity and with the acquisition of voluntary movements, facial mimicry, attention and verbal comprehension, ability to cry, cough reflex, oral motility, and feeding capacity, with a significant improvement of their neurological scores. No side effects were reported.ConclusionThese promising results and the ease of administration of this treatment make it worthwhile to be investigated further, mainly in the early stages from severe TBI and in patients with better baseline neurological conditions, to explore more thoroughly the benefits of this new approach on neuronal function recovery after traumatic brain damage

Dramatic improvement of parkinsonian symptoms after gluten-free diet introduction in a patient with silent celiac disease

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Provoked ictal SPECT in temporal and extratemporal drug-resistant epileptic patients: comparison of Statistical Parametric Mapping and qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) with qualitative analysis of provoked ictal SPECT, in terms of both diagnostic yield and efficacy in identifying the epileptogenic zone of temporal and extratemporal epileptic patients. METHODS: We included in the study 27 drug-resistant epileptic patients submitted to provoked ictal SPECT and for whom both SPM and qualitative analysis were obtained. A comparison between visual SPECT analysis and SPM results was performed in terms of lateralization and localization of the ictal hyperperfusion areas. Then, hyperperfusion areas were compared to epileptogenic zones to assess whether they co-localized or not. RESULTS: In twenty patients, a co-localization was found between hyperperfusion areas detected by both qualitative and SPM analysis of provoked ictal SPECT and epileptogenic zones. A concordance between SPM and qualitative analysis in all but two patients was obtained. These findings were observed for both temporal and extratemporal epilepsies. CONCLUSIONS: The co-localization between provoked ictal SPECT hyperperfusion areas and epileptogenic zones found in most patients supports the usefulness of this technique in integrating data provided by neuroimaging and electroclinical correlations to correctly define epileptogenic zone. Moreover, this preliminary work suggests that SPM as entirely objective methodology is feasible and can be accurate also after provoked ictal SPECT

Current use and potential role of radioguided surgery in brain tumours

Abstract Purpose The aim of this mini-review is to discuss the possible role of radioguided surgery in brain tumours and, in particular, in gliomas. Methods A research in the PubMed/Medline database was carried out to identify relevant studies evaluating radioguided surgery in brain tumours. Results Radioguided surgery results using gamma (γ)-emitting tracers and γ-detection probes were summarised. Most importantly, the review included preliminary findings with novel approaches, particularly those relying on the use of beta (β)−emitting isotopes and a dedicated β probe. Conclusion Although few data are available in the current literature, the use of β probes could be useful to accurately identify surgical margins in brain tumours. Nevertheless, further in vivo studies are required. </jats:sec

SPET Monitoring of Perfusion Changes in Auditory Cortex following Mono- and Multi-Frequency Stimuli

Summary Aim: In order to assess the relationship between auditory cortex perfusion and the frequency of acoustic stimuli, twenty normally-hearing subjects underwent cerebral SPET. Methods: In 10 patients a multi-frequency stimulus (250-4000 Hz at 40 dB SL) was delivered, while 10 subjects were stimulated with a 500 Hz pure tone at 40 dB SL. The prestimulation SPET was subtracted from poststimulation study and auditory cortex activation was expressed as percent increments. Results: Contralateral cortex was the most active area with multi-frequency and monofrequency stimuli as well. A clear demonstration of a tonotopic distribution of acoustic stimuli in the auditory cortex was achieved. In addition, the accessory role played by homolateral acoustic areas was confirmed. Conclusion: The results of the present research support the hypothesis that brain SPET may be useful to obtain semiquantitative reliable information on low frequency auditory level in profoundly deaf patients. This may be achieved comparing the extension of the cortical areas activated by high-intensity multifrequency stimuli.</jats:p