Chun Hui Bao1, Peng Liu2, Hui Rong Liu3, Lu Yi Wu4, Yin Shi3, Wei Feng Chen5, Wei Qin2, Yuan Lu1, Jian Ye Zhang6, Xiao Ming Jin7, Xiao Mei Wang3, Ji Meng Zhao1, Xiao Ming Liu2, Jie Tian8, Huan Gan Wu9. 1. Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. 2. Life Sciences Research Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Shaanxi, China. 3. Outpatient Department, Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. 4. Qigong Institute, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China. 5. Endoscopy Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. 6. Department of Radiology, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. 7. Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 8. Life Sciences Research Center, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xidian University, Shaanxi, China wuhuangan@126.com. 9. Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Immunological Effects, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China wuhuangan@126.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whether Crohn's disease [CD] is correlated with brain structural changes is unclear. This study examined changes in grey matter [GM] structures in CD patients and their correlation with psychological distress. METHODS: A total of 45 CD patients and 33 healthy controls were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. Voxel-based morphometry and a cortical thickness analysis were used to determine brain GM volume and cortical thickness. RESULTS: The GM volumes in the CD patients were significantly higher in the putamen, pallidum, thalamus, hippocampal cortex, amygdala, precuneus, posterior parietal cortex, periaqueductal grey, and cerebellum, but were lower in many other cortical regions. The cortical thicknesses of the insula, cingulate cortex, parahippocampal cortex, and other cortical regions were significantly reduced in CD patients. After controlling for psychological distress [anxiety and depression], the differences among several regions involved in emotional processing were not significant. The GM volumes of the right anterior cingulate cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and left insula and the cortical thickness of the left insula and orbitofrontal cortex were negatively correlated with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the significant changes in GM structures in multiple brain regions of CD patients can be partially explained by the higher levels of anxiety and depression in these patients. Specific profiles of altered GM structures in CD patients were correlated with disease duration.
BACKGROUND: Whether Crohn's disease [CD] is correlated with brain structural changes is unclear. This study examined changes in grey matter [GM] structures in CDpatients and their correlation with psychological distress. METHODS: A total of 45 CDpatients and 33 healthy controls were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. Voxel-based morphometry and a cortical thickness analysis were used to determine brain GM volume and cortical thickness. RESULTS: The GM volumes in the CDpatients were significantly higher in the putamen, pallidum, thalamus, hippocampal cortex, amygdala, precuneus, posterior parietal cortex, periaqueductal grey, and cerebellum, but were lower in many other cortical regions. The cortical thicknesses of the insula, cingulate cortex, parahippocampal cortex, and other cortical regions were significantly reduced in CDpatients. After controlling for psychological distress [anxiety and depression], the differences among several regions involved in emotional processing were not significant. The GM volumes of the right anterior cingulate cortex, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, and left insula and the cortical thickness of the left insula and orbitofrontal cortex were negatively correlated with disease duration. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the significant changes in GM structures in multiple brain regions of CDpatients can be partially explained by the higher levels of anxiety and depression in these patients. Specific profiles of altered GM structures in CDpatients were correlated with disease duration.
Authors: Anne K Thomann; Philipp A Thomann; Robert C Wolf; Dusan Hirjak; Christian Schmahl; Matthias P Ebert; Kristina Szabo; Wolfgang Reindl; Martin Griebe Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-09-21 Impact factor: 3.240