Limbic encephalitis represents a cluster of autoimmune disorders, with inflammation in the medial temporal lobe characterised by the subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, affective symptoms, psy...Limbic encephalitis represents a cluster of autoimmune disorders, with inflammation in the medial temporal lobe characterised by the subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, affective symptoms, psychosis, short-term memory impairment, as well as faciobrachial and grand mal seizures. The limbic system is a complex anatomical structure which this paper seeks to explain in terms of its anatomy and physiology, before exploring what happens when it is impaired as is the case of autoimmune and limbic encephalitis. We will discuss the pathophysiology, clinical symptomatology and diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, a cluster of symptoms which can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed within psychiatric settings. Characteristic indicators of autoimmune encephalitis include neurologic symptoms such as facial twitching, seizures, confusion, and cognitive decline;however, our experience realises that autoimmune encephalitis is not easy to identify as most patients initially present with psychiatric symptomatology rather than these neurological symptoms. Furthermore, immunological and laboratory testing take a long time to diagnose the condition. Importantly, few psychiatrists consider the autoimmune nature of the neuropsychiatric presentation. It is hence vital to consider autoimmune encephalitis in all patients with atypical presentations.展开更多
BACKGROUND It is not uncommon to develop autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes(PNS).4 kinds of antibody-positive autoimmune paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis(PLE)have not been reported.CAS...BACKGROUND It is not uncommon to develop autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes(PNS).4 kinds of antibody-positive autoimmune paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis(PLE)have not been reported.CASE SUMMARY PNS are distant effects of cancer on the nervous system,rather than syndromes in which cancer directly invades and metastasizes to the nerves and/or muscle tissues.If the limbic lobe system of the brain is involved,this will result in PLE.The detection of patients with PNS is challenging since tumors that cause paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are often asymptomatic,obscure,and thus easily misdiagnosed or missed.Currently,single-or double-antibody-positive paraneoplastic marginal encephalitis has been reported.However,no cases of three or more-antibody-positive cases have been reported.Here,we report a case of PLE that is anti-collapsing response-mediator protein-5,anti-neuronal nuclear antibody-type 1,anti-aminobutyric acid B receptor,and anti-glutamate deglutase positive,and address relevant literature to improve our understanding of the disease.CONCLUSION This article reports on the management of a case of PLE with four positive antibodies,a review of the literature,in order to raise awareness among clinicians.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The biochemical hypothesis of dopamine hyperfunction in the brain can explain the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Surgery is performed based on limbic system circuit theory correspondence to abo...BACKGROUND: The biochemical hypothesis of dopamine hyperfunction in the brain can explain the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Surgery is performed based on limbic system circuit theory correspondence to above-mentioned hypothesis. Stereotactic surgery for the treatment of mental disorders is related to stereotactic surgery that influences the Papez circuit. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy on the improvements in memory, intelligence and psychiatric symptoms in the treatment of intractable psychiatric disease. DESIGN: Self-control case analysis and follow-up of therapeutic effects. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Hebei Medical University. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients with intractable psychiatric disease, who received stereotactic surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Hebei Medical University between July 2002 and August 2005, were included in this study. The patients, 21 males and 9 females, all met the diagnostic criteria of intractable psychiatric disease, determined by the national psychosurgery cooperation team in 1998. Informed consents for surgery and clinical follow-up exams were obtained from patients and/or patients' relatives (guardians). METHODS: In 30 patients with intractable psychiatric disease, limbic leucotomy was performed by stereotactic technique. Multi-target radiofrequency hyperthermia was performed in the intracranial amygdaloid nucleus, anterior limb of internal capsule, callosal gyrus, among other regions. The therapeutic effects of patients were evaluated by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) before surgery, and 6 months, 1, and 3 years after surgery. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Clinical Memory Scale (CMS) were used to assess memory and intelligence before and after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Memory, intelligence, and psychiatric symptoms of patients before and after operation. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included in the final analysis. (1) Memory and intelligence changes of patients: CMS and WAIS showed there were no significant differences in the changes of brain functions before and after operation (P 〉 0.05). (2) Improved degree of symptoms: 5 patients were cured, 8 patients significantly improved, 8 patients improved, 3 patients had no changes, and 6 patients had recurrent symptoms. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy can improve the symptoms of patients with intractable psychiatric disease. Follow-up results showed that memory and intelligence were not noticeably improved after surgery.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Limbic encephalitis is a rare syndrome that specifically affects the limbic system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been typically used to detect brain changes in this disease. However, the mechani...BACKGROUND: Limbic encephalitis is a rare syndrome that specifically affects the limbic system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been typically used to detect brain changes in this disease. However, the mechanisms of limbic encephalitis-related white matter damage remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To characterize white matter connectivity changes secondary to injuries of the limbic system in limbic encephalitis through combined application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and voxel-based morphometry. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A non-randomized, controlled, clinical, neuroimaging, DTI study was performed at the Department of Radiology, West China Hospital in December 2008. PARTICIPANTS: A male, 46-year-old, limbic encephalitis patient, as well as 11 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers, were enrolled in the present study. METHODS: MRI was performed on the limbic encephalitis patient using a 3.0T MR scanner. Three-dimensional SPGR Tl-weighted images and DTI were acquired in the patient and controls. Data were analyzed using Matlab 7.0 and SPM2 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results from routine MRI scan with contrast enhancement of patient, as well as fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity value map differences between patient and controls. RESULTS: Significant symmetric MRI signal intensity abnormalities were observed with routine MRI Affected bilateral hippocampi and amygdala exhibited hypointense signals in TIWI and hyperintense signals in T2 images. The DTI study revealed decreased fractional anisotropy values in the bilateral alveus and fimbria of the hippocampus, bilateral internal and external capsules, white matter of the right prefrontal area, and left corona radiate in the patient compared with normal controls (P 〈 0.001) Significantly increased fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, or decreased mean diffusivity were not observed in the patient, compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Secondary white matter damage to the hippocampal afveus and fimbria was apparent in the limbic encephalitis patient. In addition, other white matter fiber injuries surrounded the limbic structures, which were not attributed to secondary limbic system injuries.展开更多
This case study addresses episodic memory impairment or focal retrograde amnesia related to limbic encephalitis. The patient in question was a right-handed man in his 60s who developed focal retrograde amnesia due to ...This case study addresses episodic memory impairment or focal retrograde amnesia related to limbic encephalitis. The patient in question was a right-handed man in his 60s who developed focal retrograde amnesia due to limbic encephalitis. An abnormal MRI signal was observed in the right medial temporal lobe. Immediately after the encephalitis onset, mental symptoms—including impaired consciousness, disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions—appeared;however, his condition improved with medical treatment. After transfer to a convalescent and rehabilitation hospital, various neuropsychological tests were conducted but no apparent functional decline was observed in intellectual function, attention, memorization, or retention. However, the patient exhibited impairments related to autobiographical memory and memory of events 4?-?5 years before the onset of limbic encephalitis. Based on these observations, the patient was considered to exhibit focal retrograde amnesia due to limbic encephalitis. Despite exhibiting retrograde amnesia, he had no difficulty in his daily life in the ward. Moreover, after discharge from hospital, smooth work reinstatement was possible. This case demonstrates that, even after exhibiting retrograde amnesia, if its duration is relatively short and physical function and other higher-order brain functions are sustained, social rehabilitation—including work reinstatement—is feasible.展开更多
Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a clinical entity related to a mesial temporal lesion resulting in a combination of anterograde memory dysfunction, behavioral changes, and seizures. The most common causes of limbic enceph...Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a clinical entity related to a mesial temporal lesion resulting in a combination of anterograde memory dysfunction, behavioral changes, and seizures. The most common causes of limbic encephalitis are Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) encephalitis, autoimmune encephalitis. Neurosyphilis is an exceptional aetiology. The early diagnosis and management of the disease determine the prognosis. This clinical course highlights the diagnostic challenge limbic encephalitis can cause and the importance of considering neurosyphilis in patients with specific or unspecific neurological symptoms. We report a case of a mesiotemporal form of neurosyphilis revealed by a LE.展开更多
To investigate the function of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in the invasion of gliomas of the limbic system.Methods The expre...To investigate the function of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in the invasion of gliomas of the limbic system.Methods The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in low and high-grade gliomas and meningiomas was detected by using immunohistochemical technique.Results (1) The expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in high grade gliomas than those in low grade gliomas (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively).They were also significantly higher in low grade gliomas than those in meninginomas (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively).(2) The TIMP-2 expression level was obviously lower in gliomas of grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳthan that in gliomas of grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ.Also,the expression of TIMP-2 in gliomas of grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ was significantly lower than that in meningiomas. Conclusion (1) The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human brain gliomas is related to malignant progression of gliomas.They might be used as the indicators to evaluate the malignancy and prognosis of gliomas.(2) Imbalance between MMP-s and TIMP-s may be one of the improtant factors promoting glioma invasion.5 refs,3 figs.展开更多
Context: The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires modeling prior to its implementation in algorithms for most human skills. This observation requires us to have a detailed and precise understanding of the i...Context: The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires modeling prior to its implementation in algorithms for most human skills. This observation requires us to have a detailed and precise understanding of the interfaces of verbal and emotional communications. The progress of AI is significant on the verbal level but modest in terms of the recognition of facial emotions even if this functionality is one of the oldest in humans and is omnipresent in our daily lives. Dysfunction in the ability for facial emotional expressions is present in many brain pathologies encountered by psychiatrists, neurologists, psychotherapists, mental health professionals including social workers. It cannot be objectively verified and measured due to a lack of reliable tools that are valid and consistently sensitive. Indeed, the articles in the scientific literature dealing with Visual-Facial-Emotions-Recognition (ViFaEmRe), suffer from the absence of 1) consensual and rational tools for continuous quantified measurement, 2) operational concepts. We have invented a software that can use computer-morphing attempting to respond to these two obstacles. It is identified as the Method of Analysis and Research of the Integration of Emotions (M.A.R.I.E.). Our primary goal is to use M.A.R.I.E. to understand the physiology of ViFaEmRe in normal healthy subjects by standardizing the measurements. Then, it will allow us to focus on subjects manifesting abnormalities in this ability. Our second goal is to make our contribution to the progress of AI hoping to add the dimension of recognition of facial emotional expressions. Objective: To study: 1) categorical vs dimensional aspects of recognition of ViFaEmRe, 2) universality vs idiosyncrasy, 3) immediate vs ambivalent Emotional-Decision-Making, 4) the Emotional-Fingerprint of a face and 5) creation of population references data. Methods: M.A.R.I.E. enables the rational, quantified measurement of Emotional Visual Acuity (EVA) in an individual observer and a population aged 20 to 70 years. Meanwhile, it can measure the range and intensity of expressed emotions through three Face- Tests, quantify the performance of a sample of 204 observers with hypernormal measures of cognition, “thymia” (defined elsewhere), and low levels of anxiety, and perform analysis of the six primary emotions. Results: We have individualized the following continuous parameters: 1) “Emotional-Visual- Acuity”, 2) “Visual-Emotional-Feeling”, 3) “Emotional-Quotient”, 4) “Emotional-Decision-Making”, 5) “Emotional-Decision-Making Graph” or “Individual-Gun-Trigger”, 6) “Emotional-Fingerprint” or “Key-graph”, 7) “Emotional-Fingerprint-Graph”, 8) detecting “misunderstanding” and 9) detecting “error”. This allowed us a taxonomy with coding of the face-emotion pair. Each face has specific measurements and graphics. The EVA improves from ages of 20 to 55 years, then decreases. It does not depend on the sex of the observer, nor the face studied. In addition, 1% of people endowed with normal intelligence do not recognize emotions. The categorical dimension is a variable for everyone. The range and intensity of ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic and not universally uniform. The recognition of emotions is purely categorical for a single individual. It is dimensional for a population sample. Conclusions: Firstly, M.A.R.I.E. has made possible to bring out new concepts and new continuous measurements variables. The comparison between healthy and abnormal individuals makes it possible to take into consideration the significance of this line of study. From now on, these new functional parameters will allow us to identify and name “emotional” disorders or illnesses which can give additional dimension to behavioral disorders in all pathologies that affect the brain. Secondly, the ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic, categorical, and a function of the identity of the observer and of the observed face. These findings stack up against Artificial Intelligence, which cannot have a globalist or regionalist algorithm that can be programmed into a robot, nor can AI compete with human abilities and judgment in this domain. *Here “Emotional disorders” refers to disorders of emotional expressions and recognition.展开更多
Context: The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires modeling prior to its implementation in algorithms for most human skills. This observation requires us to have a detailed and precise understanding of the i...Context: The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires modeling prior to its implementation in algorithms for most human skills. This observation requires us to have a detailed and precise understanding of the interfaces of verbal and emotional communications. The progress of AI is significant on the verbal level but modest in terms of the recognition of facial emotions even if this functionality is one of the oldest in humans and is omnipresent in our daily lives. Dysfunction in the ability for facial emotional expressions is present in many brain pathologies encountered by psychiatrists, neurologists, psychotherapists, mental health professionals including social workers. It cannot be objectively verified and measured due to a lack of reliable tools that are valid and consistently sensitive. Indeed, the articles in the scientific literature dealing with Visual-Facial-Emotions-Recognition (ViFaEmRe), suffer from the absence of 1) consensual and rational tools for continuous quantified measurement, 2) operational concepts. We have invented a software that can use computer-morphing attempting to respond to these two obstacles. It is identified as the Method of Analysis and Research of the Integration of Emotions (M.A.R.I.E.). Our primary goal is to use M.A.R.I.E. to understand the physiology of ViFaEmRe in normal healthy subjects by standardizing the measurements. Then, it will allow us to focus on subjects manifesting abnormalities in this ability. Our second goal is to make our contribution to the progress of AI hoping to add the dimension of recognition of facial emotional expressions. Objective: To study: 1) categorical vs dimensional aspects of recognition of ViFaEmRe, 2) universality vs idiosyncrasy, 3) immediate vs ambivalent Emotional-Decision-Making, 4) the Emotional-Fingerprint of a face and 5) creation of population references data. Methods: With M.A.R.I.E. enable a rational quantified measurement of Emotional-Visual-Acuity (EVA) of 1) a) an individual observer, b) in a population aged 20 to 70 years old, 2) measure the range and intensity of expressed emotions by 3 Face-Tests, 3) quantify the performance of a sample of 204 observers with hyper normal measures of cognition, “thymia,” (ibid. defined elsewhere) and low levels of anxiety 4) analysis of the 6 primary emotions. Results: We have individualized the following continuous parameters: 1) “Emotional-Visual-Acuity”, 2) “Visual-Emotional-Feeling”, 3) “Emotional-Quotient”, 4) “Emotional-Deci-sion-Making”, 5) “Emotional-Decision-Making Graph” or “Individual-Gun-Trigger”6) “Emotional-Fingerprint” or “Key-graph”, 7) “Emotional-Finger-print-Graph”, 8) detecting “misunderstanding” and 9) detecting “error”. This allowed us a taxonomy with coding of the face-emotion pair. Each face has specific measurements and graphics. The EVA improves from ages of 20 to 55 years, then decreases. It does not depend on the sex of the observer, nor the face studied. In addition, 1% of people endowed with normal intelligence do not recognize emotions. The categorical dimension is a variable for everyone. The range and intensity of ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic and not universally uniform. The recognition of emotions is purely categorical for a single individual. It is dimensional for a population sample. Conclusions: Firstly, M.A.R.I.E. has made possible to bring out new concepts and new continuous measurements variables. The comparison between healthy and abnormal individuals makes it possible to take into consideration the significance of this line of study. From now on, these new functional parameters will allow us to identify and name “emotional” disorders or illnesses which can give additional dimension to behavioral disorders in all pathologies that affect the brain. Secondly, the ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic, categorical, and a function of the identity of the observer and of the observed face. These findings stack up against Artificial Intelligence, which cannot have a globalist or regionalist algorithm that can be programmed into a robot, nor can AI compete with human abilities and judgment in this domain. *Here “Emotional disorders” refers to disorders of emotional expressions and recognition.展开更多
Background: Autoimmune encephalitis associated with antibodies against γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABABR) in patients with limbic encephalitis (LE) was first described in 2010. We present a series of klan C...Background: Autoimmune encephalitis associated with antibodies against γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABABR) in patients with limbic encephalitis (LE) was first described in 2010. We present a series of klan Chinese patients tbr further clinical refinement. Methods: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients referred to the program of encephalitis and paraneoplastic syndrome of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were tested with indirect immunofluorescence. Clinical information of patients with anti-GABABR antibody positivity was retrospectively reviewed, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: All eighteen anti-GABABR antibody-positive cases had limbic syndromes, and electroencephalogram (EEG) or neuroimaging evidence fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of LE. Four patients had additional antibodies against Hu in serum and one had anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibody in both sera and CSF. Seventeen (17/18) patients presented with new-onset refractory seizure or status epileptics. Twelve (12/18) patients had memory deficits, 11 (11/18) patients had personality change, 7 (7/18) patients had disturbance of consciousness, and 3 (3/18) patients showed cerebellar dysfunction. One patient with LE had progressive motor and sensory polyneuropathy. Lung cancer was detected in 6 (6/18) patients. Ten (10/18) patients showed abnormality in bilateral or unilateral mediotemporal region on magnetic resonance imaging. Ten (10/18) patients had temporal lobe epileptic activity with or without general slowing on EEG. Seventeen patients received immunotherapy and 15 of them showed neurological improvement. Four patients with lung cancer died within 1-12 months due to neoplastic complications. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that most Han Chinese patients with anti-GABABR antibody-associated LE have prominent refractory epilepsy and show neurological improvement on immunotherapy. Patients with underlying lung tumor have a relatively poor prognosis. Testing for anti-GABABR antibodies is necessary for patients with possible LE or new-onset epilepsy with unknown etiology.展开更多
文摘Limbic encephalitis represents a cluster of autoimmune disorders, with inflammation in the medial temporal lobe characterised by the subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, affective symptoms, psychosis, short-term memory impairment, as well as faciobrachial and grand mal seizures. The limbic system is a complex anatomical structure which this paper seeks to explain in terms of its anatomy and physiology, before exploring what happens when it is impaired as is the case of autoimmune and limbic encephalitis. We will discuss the pathophysiology, clinical symptomatology and diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis, a cluster of symptoms which can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed within psychiatric settings. Characteristic indicators of autoimmune encephalitis include neurologic symptoms such as facial twitching, seizures, confusion, and cognitive decline;however, our experience realises that autoimmune encephalitis is not easy to identify as most patients initially present with psychiatric symptomatology rather than these neurological symptoms. Furthermore, immunological and laboratory testing take a long time to diagnose the condition. Importantly, few psychiatrists consider the autoimmune nature of the neuropsychiatric presentation. It is hence vital to consider autoimmune encephalitis in all patients with atypical presentations.
文摘BACKGROUND It is not uncommon to develop autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes(PNS).4 kinds of antibody-positive autoimmune paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis(PLE)have not been reported.CASE SUMMARY PNS are distant effects of cancer on the nervous system,rather than syndromes in which cancer directly invades and metastasizes to the nerves and/or muscle tissues.If the limbic lobe system of the brain is involved,this will result in PLE.The detection of patients with PNS is challenging since tumors that cause paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are often asymptomatic,obscure,and thus easily misdiagnosed or missed.Currently,single-or double-antibody-positive paraneoplastic marginal encephalitis has been reported.However,no cases of three or more-antibody-positive cases have been reported.Here,we report a case of PLE that is anti-collapsing response-mediator protein-5,anti-neuronal nuclear antibody-type 1,anti-aminobutyric acid B receptor,and anti-glutamate deglutase positive,and address relevant literature to improve our understanding of the disease.CONCLUSION This article reports on the management of a case of PLE with four positive antibodies,a review of the literature,in order to raise awareness among clinicians.
文摘BACKGROUND: The biochemical hypothesis of dopamine hyperfunction in the brain can explain the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia. Surgery is performed based on limbic system circuit theory correspondence to above-mentioned hypothesis. Stereotactic surgery for the treatment of mental disorders is related to stereotactic surgery that influences the Papez circuit. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy on the improvements in memory, intelligence and psychiatric symptoms in the treatment of intractable psychiatric disease. DESIGN: Self-control case analysis and follow-up of therapeutic effects. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Hebei Medical University. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients with intractable psychiatric disease, who received stereotactic surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital, Hebei Medical University between July 2002 and August 2005, were included in this study. The patients, 21 males and 9 females, all met the diagnostic criteria of intractable psychiatric disease, determined by the national psychosurgery cooperation team in 1998. Informed consents for surgery and clinical follow-up exams were obtained from patients and/or patients' relatives (guardians). METHODS: In 30 patients with intractable psychiatric disease, limbic leucotomy was performed by stereotactic technique. Multi-target radiofrequency hyperthermia was performed in the intracranial amygdaloid nucleus, anterior limb of internal capsule, callosal gyrus, among other regions. The therapeutic effects of patients were evaluated by Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) before surgery, and 6 months, 1, and 3 years after surgery. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Clinical Memory Scale (CMS) were used to assess memory and intelligence before and after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Memory, intelligence, and psychiatric symptoms of patients before and after operation. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included in the final analysis. (1) Memory and intelligence changes of patients: CMS and WAIS showed there were no significant differences in the changes of brain functions before and after operation (P 〉 0.05). (2) Improved degree of symptoms: 5 patients were cured, 8 patients significantly improved, 8 patients improved, 3 patients had no changes, and 6 patients had recurrent symptoms. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic multi-target limbic leucotomy can improve the symptoms of patients with intractable psychiatric disease. Follow-up results showed that memory and intelligence were not noticeably improved after surgery.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30800263
文摘BACKGROUND: Limbic encephalitis is a rare syndrome that specifically affects the limbic system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been typically used to detect brain changes in this disease. However, the mechanisms of limbic encephalitis-related white matter damage remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To characterize white matter connectivity changes secondary to injuries of the limbic system in limbic encephalitis through combined application of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and voxel-based morphometry. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A non-randomized, controlled, clinical, neuroimaging, DTI study was performed at the Department of Radiology, West China Hospital in December 2008. PARTICIPANTS: A male, 46-year-old, limbic encephalitis patient, as well as 11 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers, were enrolled in the present study. METHODS: MRI was performed on the limbic encephalitis patient using a 3.0T MR scanner. Three-dimensional SPGR Tl-weighted images and DTI were acquired in the patient and controls. Data were analyzed using Matlab 7.0 and SPM2 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results from routine MRI scan with contrast enhancement of patient, as well as fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity value map differences between patient and controls. RESULTS: Significant symmetric MRI signal intensity abnormalities were observed with routine MRI Affected bilateral hippocampi and amygdala exhibited hypointense signals in TIWI and hyperintense signals in T2 images. The DTI study revealed decreased fractional anisotropy values in the bilateral alveus and fimbria of the hippocampus, bilateral internal and external capsules, white matter of the right prefrontal area, and left corona radiate in the patient compared with normal controls (P 〈 0.001) Significantly increased fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, or decreased mean diffusivity were not observed in the patient, compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Secondary white matter damage to the hippocampal afveus and fimbria was apparent in the limbic encephalitis patient. In addition, other white matter fiber injuries surrounded the limbic structures, which were not attributed to secondary limbic system injuries.
文摘This case study addresses episodic memory impairment or focal retrograde amnesia related to limbic encephalitis. The patient in question was a right-handed man in his 60s who developed focal retrograde amnesia due to limbic encephalitis. An abnormal MRI signal was observed in the right medial temporal lobe. Immediately after the encephalitis onset, mental symptoms—including impaired consciousness, disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions—appeared;however, his condition improved with medical treatment. After transfer to a convalescent and rehabilitation hospital, various neuropsychological tests were conducted but no apparent functional decline was observed in intellectual function, attention, memorization, or retention. However, the patient exhibited impairments related to autobiographical memory and memory of events 4?-?5 years before the onset of limbic encephalitis. Based on these observations, the patient was considered to exhibit focal retrograde amnesia due to limbic encephalitis. Despite exhibiting retrograde amnesia, he had no difficulty in his daily life in the ward. Moreover, after discharge from hospital, smooth work reinstatement was possible. This case demonstrates that, even after exhibiting retrograde amnesia, if its duration is relatively short and physical function and other higher-order brain functions are sustained, social rehabilitation—including work reinstatement—is feasible.
文摘Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a clinical entity related to a mesial temporal lesion resulting in a combination of anterograde memory dysfunction, behavioral changes, and seizures. The most common causes of limbic encephalitis are Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) encephalitis, autoimmune encephalitis. Neurosyphilis is an exceptional aetiology. The early diagnosis and management of the disease determine the prognosis. This clinical course highlights the diagnostic challenge limbic encephalitis can cause and the importance of considering neurosyphilis in patients with specific or unspecific neurological symptoms. We report a case of a mesiotemporal form of neurosyphilis revealed by a LE.
文摘To investigate the function of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) in the invasion of gliomas of the limbic system.Methods The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in low and high-grade gliomas and meningiomas was detected by using immunohistochemical technique.Results (1) The expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in high grade gliomas than those in low grade gliomas (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively).They were also significantly higher in low grade gliomas than those in meninginomas (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively).(2) The TIMP-2 expression level was obviously lower in gliomas of grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳthan that in gliomas of grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ.Also,the expression of TIMP-2 in gliomas of grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ was significantly lower than that in meningiomas. Conclusion (1) The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human brain gliomas is related to malignant progression of gliomas.They might be used as the indicators to evaluate the malignancy and prognosis of gliomas.(2) Imbalance between MMP-s and TIMP-s may be one of the improtant factors promoting glioma invasion.5 refs,3 figs.
文摘Context: The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires modeling prior to its implementation in algorithms for most human skills. This observation requires us to have a detailed and precise understanding of the interfaces of verbal and emotional communications. The progress of AI is significant on the verbal level but modest in terms of the recognition of facial emotions even if this functionality is one of the oldest in humans and is omnipresent in our daily lives. Dysfunction in the ability for facial emotional expressions is present in many brain pathologies encountered by psychiatrists, neurologists, psychotherapists, mental health professionals including social workers. It cannot be objectively verified and measured due to a lack of reliable tools that are valid and consistently sensitive. Indeed, the articles in the scientific literature dealing with Visual-Facial-Emotions-Recognition (ViFaEmRe), suffer from the absence of 1) consensual and rational tools for continuous quantified measurement, 2) operational concepts. We have invented a software that can use computer-morphing attempting to respond to these two obstacles. It is identified as the Method of Analysis and Research of the Integration of Emotions (M.A.R.I.E.). Our primary goal is to use M.A.R.I.E. to understand the physiology of ViFaEmRe in normal healthy subjects by standardizing the measurements. Then, it will allow us to focus on subjects manifesting abnormalities in this ability. Our second goal is to make our contribution to the progress of AI hoping to add the dimension of recognition of facial emotional expressions. Objective: To study: 1) categorical vs dimensional aspects of recognition of ViFaEmRe, 2) universality vs idiosyncrasy, 3) immediate vs ambivalent Emotional-Decision-Making, 4) the Emotional-Fingerprint of a face and 5) creation of population references data. Methods: M.A.R.I.E. enables the rational, quantified measurement of Emotional Visual Acuity (EVA) in an individual observer and a population aged 20 to 70 years. Meanwhile, it can measure the range and intensity of expressed emotions through three Face- Tests, quantify the performance of a sample of 204 observers with hypernormal measures of cognition, “thymia” (defined elsewhere), and low levels of anxiety, and perform analysis of the six primary emotions. Results: We have individualized the following continuous parameters: 1) “Emotional-Visual- Acuity”, 2) “Visual-Emotional-Feeling”, 3) “Emotional-Quotient”, 4) “Emotional-Decision-Making”, 5) “Emotional-Decision-Making Graph” or “Individual-Gun-Trigger”, 6) “Emotional-Fingerprint” or “Key-graph”, 7) “Emotional-Fingerprint-Graph”, 8) detecting “misunderstanding” and 9) detecting “error”. This allowed us a taxonomy with coding of the face-emotion pair. Each face has specific measurements and graphics. The EVA improves from ages of 20 to 55 years, then decreases. It does not depend on the sex of the observer, nor the face studied. In addition, 1% of people endowed with normal intelligence do not recognize emotions. The categorical dimension is a variable for everyone. The range and intensity of ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic and not universally uniform. The recognition of emotions is purely categorical for a single individual. It is dimensional for a population sample. Conclusions: Firstly, M.A.R.I.E. has made possible to bring out new concepts and new continuous measurements variables. The comparison between healthy and abnormal individuals makes it possible to take into consideration the significance of this line of study. From now on, these new functional parameters will allow us to identify and name “emotional” disorders or illnesses which can give additional dimension to behavioral disorders in all pathologies that affect the brain. Secondly, the ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic, categorical, and a function of the identity of the observer and of the observed face. These findings stack up against Artificial Intelligence, which cannot have a globalist or regionalist algorithm that can be programmed into a robot, nor can AI compete with human abilities and judgment in this domain. *Here “Emotional disorders” refers to disorders of emotional expressions and recognition.
文摘Context: The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) requires modeling prior to its implementation in algorithms for most human skills. This observation requires us to have a detailed and precise understanding of the interfaces of verbal and emotional communications. The progress of AI is significant on the verbal level but modest in terms of the recognition of facial emotions even if this functionality is one of the oldest in humans and is omnipresent in our daily lives. Dysfunction in the ability for facial emotional expressions is present in many brain pathologies encountered by psychiatrists, neurologists, psychotherapists, mental health professionals including social workers. It cannot be objectively verified and measured due to a lack of reliable tools that are valid and consistently sensitive. Indeed, the articles in the scientific literature dealing with Visual-Facial-Emotions-Recognition (ViFaEmRe), suffer from the absence of 1) consensual and rational tools for continuous quantified measurement, 2) operational concepts. We have invented a software that can use computer-morphing attempting to respond to these two obstacles. It is identified as the Method of Analysis and Research of the Integration of Emotions (M.A.R.I.E.). Our primary goal is to use M.A.R.I.E. to understand the physiology of ViFaEmRe in normal healthy subjects by standardizing the measurements. Then, it will allow us to focus on subjects manifesting abnormalities in this ability. Our second goal is to make our contribution to the progress of AI hoping to add the dimension of recognition of facial emotional expressions. Objective: To study: 1) categorical vs dimensional aspects of recognition of ViFaEmRe, 2) universality vs idiosyncrasy, 3) immediate vs ambivalent Emotional-Decision-Making, 4) the Emotional-Fingerprint of a face and 5) creation of population references data. Methods: With M.A.R.I.E. enable a rational quantified measurement of Emotional-Visual-Acuity (EVA) of 1) a) an individual observer, b) in a population aged 20 to 70 years old, 2) measure the range and intensity of expressed emotions by 3 Face-Tests, 3) quantify the performance of a sample of 204 observers with hyper normal measures of cognition, “thymia,” (ibid. defined elsewhere) and low levels of anxiety 4) analysis of the 6 primary emotions. Results: We have individualized the following continuous parameters: 1) “Emotional-Visual-Acuity”, 2) “Visual-Emotional-Feeling”, 3) “Emotional-Quotient”, 4) “Emotional-Deci-sion-Making”, 5) “Emotional-Decision-Making Graph” or “Individual-Gun-Trigger”6) “Emotional-Fingerprint” or “Key-graph”, 7) “Emotional-Finger-print-Graph”, 8) detecting “misunderstanding” and 9) detecting “error”. This allowed us a taxonomy with coding of the face-emotion pair. Each face has specific measurements and graphics. The EVA improves from ages of 20 to 55 years, then decreases. It does not depend on the sex of the observer, nor the face studied. In addition, 1% of people endowed with normal intelligence do not recognize emotions. The categorical dimension is a variable for everyone. The range and intensity of ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic and not universally uniform. The recognition of emotions is purely categorical for a single individual. It is dimensional for a population sample. Conclusions: Firstly, M.A.R.I.E. has made possible to bring out new concepts and new continuous measurements variables. The comparison between healthy and abnormal individuals makes it possible to take into consideration the significance of this line of study. From now on, these new functional parameters will allow us to identify and name “emotional” disorders or illnesses which can give additional dimension to behavioral disorders in all pathologies that affect the brain. Secondly, the ViFaEmRe is idiosyncratic, categorical, and a function of the identity of the observer and of the observed face. These findings stack up against Artificial Intelligence, which cannot have a globalist or regionalist algorithm that can be programmed into a robot, nor can AI compete with human abilities and judgment in this domain. *Here “Emotional disorders” refers to disorders of emotional expressions and recognition.
文摘Background: Autoimmune encephalitis associated with antibodies against γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABABR) in patients with limbic encephalitis (LE) was first described in 2010. We present a series of klan Chinese patients tbr further clinical refinement. Methods: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients referred to the program of encephalitis and paraneoplastic syndrome of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were tested with indirect immunofluorescence. Clinical information of patients with anti-GABABR antibody positivity was retrospectively reviewed, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: All eighteen anti-GABABR antibody-positive cases had limbic syndromes, and electroencephalogram (EEG) or neuroimaging evidence fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of LE. Four patients had additional antibodies against Hu in serum and one had anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibody in both sera and CSF. Seventeen (17/18) patients presented with new-onset refractory seizure or status epileptics. Twelve (12/18) patients had memory deficits, 11 (11/18) patients had personality change, 7 (7/18) patients had disturbance of consciousness, and 3 (3/18) patients showed cerebellar dysfunction. One patient with LE had progressive motor and sensory polyneuropathy. Lung cancer was detected in 6 (6/18) patients. Ten (10/18) patients showed abnormality in bilateral or unilateral mediotemporal region on magnetic resonance imaging. Ten (10/18) patients had temporal lobe epileptic activity with or without general slowing on EEG. Seventeen patients received immunotherapy and 15 of them showed neurological improvement. Four patients with lung cancer died within 1-12 months due to neoplastic complications. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that most Han Chinese patients with anti-GABABR antibody-associated LE have prominent refractory epilepsy and show neurological improvement on immunotherapy. Patients with underlying lung tumor have a relatively poor prognosis. Testing for anti-GABABR antibodies is necessary for patients with possible LE or new-onset epilepsy with unknown etiology.