MP18-04: Cerebellar structural connectivity relates to lower urinary tract function: a 7T study
Friday, May 3, 2024 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM · 2 hr. (US/Central)
302B
Abstract
Information
Full Abstract and Figures
Author Block
Charles Mazeaud*, Nancy, France, Betsy Salazar, Rose Khavari, Christof Karmonik, Hamida Rajab, Houston, TX, Marc Braun, Nancy, France
Introduction
Complex networks of neurons form cerebral control of the lower urinary tract (LUT). The cerebellum's exact role in the working model of the brain-bladder network is poorly described. Our team has identified three specific areas of interest (ROI) within the cerebellum (ROI1 and ROI2: right posterior lobe, ROI3: left tonsil) as playing a role in bladder filling in a cohort of healthy men and women. Using tractography analysis with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) targeting cerebellar white matter tracts (WMT), we sought to determine the anatomical structural connections linking these 3 ROIs and the rest of the brain.
Methods
We included healthy males and females with no reported history of neurological disease or LUT symptoms. They had a 7Tesla MRI T1 weighted anatomical sequence, followed by functional MRI passive filling bladder protocol to determine the three relevant ROIs originated from the cerebellum. Then, we acquired an SMS2 diffusion-weighted image (DWI) sequence. Data were preprocessed with FSL and DSI Studio. We summed the subject's map to construct an average DTI. A sampling length ratio of 1.25 was used, tensor metrics were calculated using DWI with a b-value lower than 1750s/mm2, and the three ROIs were added to filter and select only WMT passing through them. Finally, the ICMB 152 WMT atlas was used to compare with our average map.
Results
20 subjects underwent DWI acquisitions. Infratentorial wrapping artifacts during DWI acquisition required the subsequent exclusion of 12 individuals. Therefore, the average brain was made from 8 individuals in the final analysis. The three ROIs show intense structural connectivity within the cerebellum, crossing the midline through the vermis to the contralateral hemisphere and connecting each other. WMTs from ROI1 and ROI2 also travel to the brainstem mainly via the right middle and upper cerebellar peduncle. Additionally, WMT originating mainly from ROI1 radiate to cortical regions potentially involved in lower urinary tract network control. A comparison with ICBM 152 showed that the WMT description was relevant, with fewer fibers due to our limiting number of individuals (Figure 1).
Conclusions
We described for the first time the structural connectivity of the cerebellum associated with LUT control on 7Teslas MRI, revealing a complex intracerebellar connectivity with the brainstem.
Source Of Funding
Funding was provided by the NIH, NIDDK R03DK126994-01 award. This work was carried out with a grant from the French Association of Urology.
Author Block
Charles Mazeaud*, Nancy, France, Betsy Salazar, Rose Khavari, Christof Karmonik, Hamida Rajab, Houston, TX, Marc Braun, Nancy, France
Introduction
Complex networks of neurons form cerebral control of the lower urinary tract (LUT). The cerebellum's exact role in the working model of the brain-bladder network is poorly described. Our team has identified three specific areas of interest (ROI) within the cerebellum (ROI1 and ROI2: right posterior lobe, ROI3: left tonsil) as playing a role in bladder filling in a cohort of healthy men and women. Using tractography analysis with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) targeting cerebellar white matter tracts (WMT), we sought to determine the anatomical structural connections linking these 3 ROIs and the rest of the brain.
Methods
We included healthy males and females with no reported history of neurological disease or LUT symptoms. They had a 7Tesla MRI T1 weighted anatomical sequence, followed by functional MRI passive filling bladder protocol to determine the three relevant ROIs originated from the cerebellum. Then, we acquired an SMS2 diffusion-weighted image (DWI) sequence. Data were preprocessed with FSL and DSI Studio. We summed the subject's map to construct an average DTI. A sampling length ratio of 1.25 was used, tensor metrics were calculated using DWI with a b-value lower than 1750s/mm2, and the three ROIs were added to filter and select only WMT passing through them. Finally, the ICMB 152 WMT atlas was used to compare with our average map.
Results
20 subjects underwent DWI acquisitions. Infratentorial wrapping artifacts during DWI acquisition required the subsequent exclusion of 12 individuals. Therefore, the average brain was made from 8 individuals in the final analysis. The three ROIs show intense structural connectivity within the cerebellum, crossing the midline through the vermis to the contralateral hemisphere and connecting each other. WMTs from ROI1 and ROI2 also travel to the brainstem mainly via the right middle and upper cerebellar peduncle. Additionally, WMT originating mainly from ROI1 radiate to cortical regions potentially involved in lower urinary tract network control. A comparison with ICBM 152 showed that the WMT description was relevant, with fewer fibers due to our limiting number of individuals (Figure 1).
Conclusions
We described for the first time the structural connectivity of the cerebellum associated with LUT control on 7Teslas MRI, revealing a complex intracerebellar connectivity with the brainstem.
Source Of Funding
Funding was provided by the NIH, NIDDK R03DK126994-01 award. This work was carried out with a grant from the French Association of Urology.
Sessions
MP18: Imaging/Uroradiology I
302B