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Enlargement of thalamic nuclei in Tourette syndrome.

ABSTRACT: The basal ganglia and thalamus together connect in parallel closed-loop circuits with the cortex. Previous imaging studies have shown modifications of the basal ganglia and cortical targets in individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS), but less is known regarding the role of the thalamus in TS pathogenesis.To study the morphological features of the thalamus in children and adults with TS.A cross-sectional, case-control study using anatomical magnetic resonance imaging.University research center.The 283 participants included 149 with TS and 134 normal control individuals aged 6 to 63 years.Conventional volumes and measures of surface morphology of the thalamus.Analyses of conventional volumes and surface morphology were consistent in demonstrating an enlargement in TS-affected thalami. Overall volumes were 5% larger in the group composed of children and adults with TS. Statistical maps of surface contour demonstrated enlargement over the lateral thalamus. Post hoc testing indicated that differences in IQ, comorbid illnesses, and medication use did not account for these findings.Morphological abnormalities in the thalamus, together with the disturbances reported in the sensorimotor cortex, striatum, and globus pallidus, support the hypothesis of a circuitwide disorder within motor pathways in TS. The connectivity and function of the numerous and diverse thalamic nuclei within cortical-subcortical circuits constitute an anatomical crossroad wherein enlargement of motor nuclei may represent activity-dependent hypertrophy within this component of cortical-subcortical motor circuits, or an adaptive response within a larger putative compensatory system that could thereby directly modulate activity in motor circuits to attenuate the severity of tics.

SUBMITTER: Miller AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4292904 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enlargement of thalamic nuclei in Tourette syndrome.

Miller Ann M AM Bansal Ravi R Hao Xuejun X Sanchez-Pena Juan Pablo JP Sobel Loren J LJ Liu Jun J Xu Dongrong D Zhu Hongtu H Chakravarty M Mallar MM Durkin Kathleen K Ivanov Iliyan I Plessen Kerstin J KJ Kellendonk Christoph B CB Peterson Bradley S BS

Archives of general psychiatry 20100901 9

<h4>Context</h4>The basal ganglia and thalamus together connect in parallel closed-loop circuits with the cortex. Previous imaging studies have shown modifications of the basal ganglia and cortical targets in individuals with Tourette syndrome (TS), but less is known regarding the role of the thalamus in TS pathogenesis.<h4>Objective</h4>To study the morphological features of the thalamus in children and adults with TS.<h4>Design</h4>A cross-sectional, case-control study using anatomical magneti ...[more]

PMID: 20819989

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Project description:We previously reported a schizophrenia associated reduction of neuronal and oligodendrocyte number in the anterior principal thalamic nucleus (APN) in a cohort of severely impaired elderly subjects with schizophrenia (SZ) relative to age matched nonpsychiatric controls (NCs). The present study was undertaken to determine 1) if those findings could be replicated in an independent sample of less chronically impaired subjects with SZ and NCs stratified across a broader age range; 2) if the findings are specific to SZ or are also seen in unipolar major depressive (MDD) or bipolar disorder (BPD); and 3) if the findings are specific to the APN or also seen in another thalamic nucleus. Computer assisted stereological methods were employed to determine the number of neurons and oligodendrocytes in the APN and centromedian nucleus (CMN) of the Nissl-stained thalamic sections maintained by the Stanley Foundation Brain Bank. This collection includes specimens from NCs and age matched subjects with diagnoses of SZ, MDD, or BPD who died between the ages of 25 and 68. Data were analyzed by mixed-effects linear regressions adjusting for demographic variables and known history of exposure to psychotropic medications. Oligodendrocyte number was decreased in both nuclei relative to NCs in subjects with SZ and in that subset of subjects with BPD who had experienced psychotic episodes. Compared to NCs both of these patient groups also exhibited an attenuation of an age-related increase in the number of oligodendrocytes. Contrary to our previous report, we did not detect a SZ-associated deficit in neuronal number in the APN. A history of exposure to neuroleptics, however, was associated with a decrease in neuronal number in both nuclei, but this decrease did not vary in relation to cumulative lifetime neuroleptic exposure in fluphenazine equivalents. Among subjects with psychiatric diagnoses, exposure to lithium was associated with an increase in the number of oligodendrocytes. No effects were detected for exposure to anticonvulsants or for abuse of alcohol or other substances.

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Enlargement of thalamic nuclei in Tourette syndrome.

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Enlargement of thalamic nuclei in Tourette syndrome.

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