Comparison between postcontrast thin-slice T1-weighted 2D spin echo and 3D T1-weighted SPACE sequences in the detection of brain metastases at 1.5 and 3 T.

Objectives: Accurate detection of metastatic brain lesions (MBL) is critical due to advances in radiosurgery. We compared the results of three readers in detecting MBL using T1-weighted 2D spin echo (SE) and sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution (SPACE) sequences with whole-brain coverage at both 1.5 T and 3 T.

Improving fMRI in Parkinson's disease by accounting for brain region-specific activity patterns.

In functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) in Parkinson's disease (PD), a paradigm consisting of blocks of finger tapping and rest along with a corresponding general linear model (GLM) is often used to assess motor activity. However, this method has three limitations: (i) Due to the strong magnetic field and the confined environment of the cylindrical bore, it is troublesome to accurately monitor motor output and, therefore, variability in the performed movement is typically ignored. (ii) Given the loss of dopaminergic neurons and ongoing compensatory brain mechanisms, motor control is abnormal in PD.

Eighteen years' experience with tumor treating fields in the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Introduction: The prognosis of glioblastoma remains unfavorable. TTFields utilize low intensity electric fields (frequency 150-300 kHz) that disrupt cellular processes critical for cancer cell viability and tumor progression. TTFields are delivered via transducer arrays placed on the patients' scalp.

Prevalence of neurodegenerative/demyelinating disorders in patients with achalasia.

Introduction: Esophageal achalasia is a primary motility disorder. Although the exact pathogenesis is unknown, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative processes seem to be involved similarly to neurodegenerative and/or demyelinating disorders (NDDs). We hypothesized that the prevalence of NDD may be higher among patients with achalasia and vice versa as the background pathogenetic mechanisms are similar.

Dose-Lowering in Contrast-Enhanced MRI of the Central Nervous System: A Retrospective, Parallel-Group Comparison Using Gadobenate Dimeglumine.

Background: Concerns over gadolinium (Gd) retention encourage the use of lower Gd doses. However, lower Gd doses may compromise imaging performance. Higher relaxivity gadobenate may be suited to reduced dose protocols.

Safety and diagnostic efficacy of gadoteridol for magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine in children 2 years of age and younger.

Background: Neonates and young children require efficacious magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations but are potentially more susceptible to the short- and long-term adverse effects of gadolinium-based contrast agents due to the immaturity of their body functions.

Objective: To evaluate the acute safety and diagnostic efficacy of gadoteridol (ProHance) for contrast-enhanced MRI of the central nervous system (CNS) in children ≤2 years of age.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twenty-five children ≤2 years old (including 57 children <6 months old) who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI of the CNS with gadoteridol at 0.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of Distal Aneurysm: A Case Series.

A series of 3 patients (35-60 years old) with bleeding distal aneurysm not associated with AVM who underwent radiosurgery by gamma knife are reported. One isocentre centralized over the aneurysm was used; peripheral dose 24-28.8 Gy was applied.

Quantification of artifacts during cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with leadless Micra pacemakers.

Introduction: When cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) is performed after previous leadless transcatheter pacemaker implantation, an image distortion has to be expected in the heart region and evaluation of myocardial tissue can be affected. In this clinical prospective study, we aim to assess the extent and impact of this artifact on individual ventricular segments and compare it to conventional pacing devices.

Methods: Total of 20 patients with leadless pacemaker placed in the right ventricle underwent cardiac MR imaging in a 1.

Differential effects of deep brain stimulation and levodopa on brain activity in Parkinson's disease.

Levodopa is the first-line treatment for Parkinson's disease, although the precise mechanisms mediating its efficacy remain elusive. We aimed to elucidate treatment effects of levodopa on brain activity during the execution of fine movements and to compare them with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nuclei. We studied 32 patients with Parkinson's disease using functional MRI during the execution of finger-tapping task, alternating epochs of movement and rest.

Formation of gadolinium-ferritin from clinical magnetic resonance contrast agents.

Gadolinium deposition in the brain following administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) has led to health concerns. We show that some clinical GBCAs form Gd-ferritin nanoparticles at (sub)nanomolar concentrations of Gd under physiological conditions. We describe their structure at atomic resolution and discuss potential relevance for clinical MRI.

Whole brain apparent diffusion coefficient measurements correlate with survival in glioblastoma patients.

Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, and methods to improve the early detection of disease progression and evaluate treatment response are highly desirable. We therefore explored changes in whole-brain apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with respect to survival (progression-free [PFS], overall [OS]) in a cohort of GBM patients followed at regular intervals until disease progression.

Methods: A total of 43 subjects met inclusion criteria and were analyzed retrospectively.

Impact of dopamine and cognitive impairment on neural reactivity to facial emotion in Parkinson's disease.

Emotional and cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD) are prevalent, hamper interpersonal relations and reduce quality of life. It is however unclear to what extent these domains interplay in PD-related deficits and how they are influenced by dopaminergic availability. This study examined the effect of cognitive impairment and dopaminergic medication on neural and behavioral mechanisms of facial emotion recognition in PD patients.

Role of gamma knife radiosurgery in the treatment of prolactinomas.

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery is one of the treatment options for prolactinomas, the most commonly used being Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS). GKRS is indicated mainly in the treatment of dopamine agonist (DA)-resistant prolactinomas. In our study, we report on our experience in treating prolactinoma patients by GKRS.

Regional gray matter changes and age predict individual treatment response in Parkinson's disease.

We aimed at testing the potential of biomarkers in predicting individual patient response to dopaminergic therapy for Parkinson's disease. Treatment efficacy was assessed in 30 Parkinson's disease patients as motor symptoms improvement from unmedicated to medicated state as assessed by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score III. Patients were stratified into weak and strong responders according to the individual treatment response.

Assessment of MR stereotactic imaging and image co-registration accuracy for 3 different MR scanners by 3 different methods/phantoms: phantom and patient study.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to compare 3 different methods to assess the geometrical distortion of two 1.5-T and one 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) scanners and to evaluate co-registration accuracy. The overall uncertainty of each particular method was also evaluated.

Modulatory Effects of Levodopa on Cerebellar Connectivity in Parkinson's Disease.

Levodopa has been the mainstay of symptomatic therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) for the last five decades. However, it is associated with the development of motor fluctuations and dyskinesia, in particular after several years of treatment. The aim of this study was to shed light on the acute brain functional reorganization in response to a single levodopa dose.

Unraveling connectivity changes due to dopaminergic therapy in chronically treated Parkinson's disease patients.

The effects of dopaminergic therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) on the brain functional architecture are still unclear. We investigated this topic in 31 PD patients (disease duration: 11.2 ± (SD) 3.

Vertebroplasty and epiduroscopy as seen by interventional radiologist.

Two minimally-invasive techniques in the spinal region are introduced: vertebroplasty and epiduroscopy. Vertebroplasty is mostly used in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body fractures, as well as in the palliative treatment of spinal metastases or symptomatic hemangiomas. It is usually performed under fluoroscopic, and often also CT control under analgesic sedation.

Brain connectivity changes when comparing effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation with levodopa treatment in Parkinson's disease.

Levodopa and, later, deep brain stimulation (DBS) have become the mainstays of therapy for motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Although these therapeutic options lead to similar clinical outcomes, the neural mechanisms underlying their efficacy are different. Therefore, investigating the differential effects of DBS and levodopa on functional brain architecture and associated motor improvement is of paramount interest.

Prospective memory impairment in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate if prospective memory (PM) is impaired in idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). RBD is a parasomnia characterized by dream enactment and by REM sleep without muscle atonia. iRBD is considered as the initial stage of neurodegeneration with pathological storage of alpha-synuclein.

Separate neural representations of depression, anxiety and apathy in Parkinson's disease.

Depression, anxiety and apathy are distinct neuropsychiatric symptoms that highly overlap in Parkinson's disease (PD). It remains unknown whether each symptom is uniquely associated with a functional network dysfunction. Here, we examined whether individual differences in each neuropsychiatric symptom predict functional connectivity patterns in PD patients while controlling for all other symptoms and motor function.