Abstract
Corticobasal syndrome is a rare neurodegenerative disorder, which presents with a progressive, asymmetrical, akinetic rigid syndrome and early cortical signs. However, clinical, pathological, and electrophysiological heterogeneity makes the understanding of this syndrome challenging. Corticobasal syndrome can have various pathological substrates including corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, Fronto-temporal degeneration with TDP inclusions, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Furthermore, tools such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional neuroimaging techniques like PET and SPECT have not been adequately used to supplement the clinico-pathological heterogeneity. TMS studies in CBS have revealed changes in cortical excitability and transcortical inhibition. Despite the availability of more than 2 decades, its potential in CBS has not been fully utilized in studying the cortical plasticity and effect of Levodopa on central neurophysiology. PET and SPECT studies in CBS have shown abnormalities in regional glucose metabolism, asymmetrical involvement of presynaptic dopaminergic system, and ascending cholinergic connections to the cortex. While most studies have shown normal D2 receptor-binding activity in striatum of CBS cases, the results have not been unanimous. Functional neuroimaging and TMS studies in CBS have shown the involvement of GABAergic, muscarinic, and dopaminergic systems. In this review, we aim to provide the current state of understanding of central neurophysiology and neurochemistry of CBS using TMS and functional neuroimaging techniques. We also highlight the heterogeneous nature of this disorder and the existing knowledge gaps.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Booth TC, Nathan M, Waldman AD et al (2015) The role of functional dopamine-transporter SPECT imaging in parkinsonian syndromes, part 2. Am J Neuroradiol 36:236–244. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A3971
Berti V, Pupi A, Mosconi L (2011) PET/CT in diagnosis of movement disorders. Ann NY Acad Sci 1228:93–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06025.x
Whitwell JL, Höglinger GU, Antonini A et al (2017) Radiological biomarkers for diagnosis in PSP: where are we and where do we need to be? Mov Disord Off J Mov Disord Soc 32:955–971. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.27038
Lee SE, Rabinovici GD, Mayo MC et al (2011) Clinicopathological correlations in corticobasal degeneration. Ann Neurol 70:327–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.22424
Seppi K, Poewe W (2010) Brain magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes. Neuroimaging Clin N Am 20:29–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nic.2009.08.016
Dickson DW, Bergeron C, Chin SS et al (2002) Office of rare diseases neuropathologic criteria for corticobasal degeneration. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 61:935–946
Dickson DW (2012) Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism: neuropathology. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2:a009258. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a009258
Rossini PM, Burke D, Chen R et al (2015) Non-invasive electrical and magnetic stimulation of the brain, spinal cord, roots and peripheral nerves: basic principles and procedures for routine clinical and research application. An updated report from an I. F. C. N. Committee. Clin Neurophysiol Off J Int Fed Clin Neurophysiol 126:1071–1107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2015.02.001
Salvador R, Silva S, Basser PJ, Miranda PC (2011) Determining which mechanisms lead to activation in the motor cortex: a modeling study of transcranial magnetic stimulation using realistic stimulus waveforms and sulcal geometry. Clin Neurophysiol Off J Int Fed Clin Neurophysiol 122:748–758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2010.09.022
Boeve BF, Lang AE, Litvan I (2003) Corticobasal degeneration and its relationship to progressive supranuclear palsy and frontotemporal dementia. Ann Neurol 54(Suppl 5):S15–S19. https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.10570
Burrell JR, Hornberger M, Vucic S et al (2014) Apraxia and motor dysfunction in corticobasal syndrome. PLoS One 9:e92944. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092944
Lu CS, Ikeda A, Terada K et al (1998) Electrophysiological studies of early stage corticobasal degeneration. Mov Disord Off J Mov Disord Soc 13:140–146. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.870130126
Kühn AA, Grosse P, Holtz K et al (2004) Patterns of abnormal motor cortex excitability in atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Clin Neurophysiol 115:1786–1795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2004.03.020
Hanajima R, Ugawa Y, Terao Y et al (1996) Ipsilateral cortico-cortical inhibition of the motor cortex in various neurological disorders. J Neurol Sci 140:109–116
Frasson E, Bertolasi L, Bertasi V et al (2003) Paired transcranial magnetic stimulation for the early diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration. Clin Neurophysiol Off J Int Fed Clin Neurophysiol 114:272–278
Okuma Y, Urabe T, Mochizuki H et al (2000) Asymmetric cortico-cortical inhibition in patients with progressive limb-kinetic apraxia. Acta Neurol Scand 102:244–248
Yokota T, Saito Y, Shimizu Y (1995) Increased corticomotoneuronal excitability after peripheral nerve stimulation in dopa-nonresponsive hemiparkinsonism. J Neurol Sci 129:34–39
Strafella A, Ashby P, Lang AE (1997) Reflex myoclonus in cortical-basal ganglionic degeneration involves a transcortical pathway. Mov Disord Off J Mov Disord Soc 12:360–369. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.870120315
Matsunaga K, Uozumi T, Murai Y, Tsuji S (1997) Electrophysiological study of a case of clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration with rhythmic myoclonus. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 37:1001–1005
Kato M (1997) A study of magnetic stimulation in patients with clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 37:969–975
Pal PK, Gunraj CA, Li J-Y et al (2008) Reduced intracortical and interhemispheric inhibitions in corticobasal syndrome. J Clin Neurophysiol Off Publ Am Electroencephalogr Soc 25:304–312. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNP.0b013e318182d304
Leiguarda RC, Merello M, Nouzeilles MI et al (2003) Limb-kinetic apraxia in corticobasal degeneration: clinical and kinematic features. Mov Disord Off J Mov Disord Soc 18:49–59. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.10303
Tyvaert L, Cassim F, Derambure P, Defebvre L (2007) Neurophysiology of corticobasal degeneration. Rev Neurol (Paris) 163:779–791
Thompson PD, Day BL, Rothwell JC et al (1994) The myoclonus in corticobasal degeneration. Evidence for two forms of cortical reflex myoclonus. Brain J Neurol 117 (Pt 5):1197–1207
Monza D, Ciano C, Scaioli V et al (2003) Neurophysiological features in relation to clinical signs in clinically diagnosed corticobasal degeneration. Neurol Sci Off J Ital Neurol Soc Ital Soc Clin Neurophysiol 24:16–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100720300016
Boeve BF (2011) The multiple phenotypes of corticobasal syndrome and corticobasal degeneration: implications for further study. J Mol Neurosci MN 45:350–353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-011-9624-1
Trompetto C, Buccolieri A, Marchese R et al (2003) Impairment of transcallosal inhibition in patients with corticobasal degeneration. Clin Neurophysiol Off J Int Fed Clin Neurophysiol 114:2181–2187
Chen R, Yung D, Li J-Y (2003) Organization of ipsilateral excitatory and inhibitory pathways in the human motor cortex. J Neurophysiol 89:1256–1264. https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.00950.2002
Yamauchi H, Fukuyama H, Nagahama Y et al (1998) Atrophy of the corpus callosum, cortical hypometabolism, and cognitive impairment in corticobasal degeneration. Arch Neurol 55:609–614
Valls-Solé J, Tolosa E, Marti MJ et al (2001) Examination of motor output pathways in patients with corticobasal ganglionic degeneration using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Brain J Neurol 124:1131–1137
Feinberg TE, Schindler RJ, Flanagan NG, Haber LD (1992) Two alien hand syndromes. Neurology 42:19. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.42.1.19
Dan Y, Poo M-M (2004) Spike timing-dependent plasticity of neural circuits. Neuron 44:23–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2004.09.007
Cooke SF, Bliss TVP (2006) Plasticity in the human central nervous system. Brain J Neurol 129:1659–1673. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awl082
Pascual-Leone A, Nguyet D, Cohen LG et al (1995) Modulation of muscle responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation during the acquisition of new fine motor skills. J Neurophysiol 74:1037–1045
Thickbroom GW, Byrnes ML, Stell R, Mastaglia FL (2003) Reversible reorganisation of the motor cortical representation of the hand in cervical dystonia. Mov Disord Off J Mov Disord Soc 18:395–402. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.10383
Schabrun SM, Stinear CM, Byblow WD, Ridding MC (2009) Normalizing motor cortex representations in focal hand dystonia. Cereb Cortex 19:1968–1977. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhn224
Kawashima S, Ueki Y, Mima T et al (2013) Differences in dopaminergic modulation to motor cortical plasticity between Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy. PLoS One 8:e62515. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062515
Conte A, Belvisi D, Bologna M et al (2012) Abnormal cortical synaptic plasticity in primary motor area in progressive supranuclear palsy. Cereb Cortex N Y N 22:693–700. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhr149
Sławek J, Lass P, Derejko M, Dubaniewicz M (2001) Cerebral blood flow SPECT may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. Nucl Med Rev Cent East Eur 4:73–76
Plotkin M, Amthauer H, Klaffke S et al (2005) Combined 123I-FP-CIT and 123I-IBZM SPECT for the diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes: study on 72 patients. J Neural Transm Vienna Austria 112:677–692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-004-0208-x
Hirano S, Shinotoh H, Shimada H et al (2010) Cholinergic imaging in corticobasal syndrome, progressive supranuclear palsy and frontotemporal dementia. Brain J Neurol 133:2058–2068. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awq120
Heiss W-D, Herholz K (2006) Brain receptor imaging. J Nucl Med Off Publ Soc Nucl Med 47:302–312
Ukmar M, Moretti R, Torre P et al (2003) Corticobasal degeneration: structural and functional MRI and single-photon emission computed tomography. Neuroradiology 45:708–712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-003-1058-1
Nagasawa H, Tanji H, Nomura H et al (1996) PET study of cerebral glucose metabolism and fluorodopa uptake in patients with corticobasal degeneration. J Neurol Sci 139:210–217
Cilia R, Marotta G, Benti R et al (2005) Brain SPECT imaging in multiple system atrophy. J Neural Transm Vienna Austria 112:1635–1645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-005-0382-5
Cilia R, Rossi C, Frosini D et al (2011) Dopamine transporter SPECT imaging in corticobasal syndrome. PLoS One 6:e18301. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0018301
Pirker S, Perju-Dumbrava L, Kovacs GG et al (2015) Progressive dopamine transporter binding loss in autopsy-confirmed corticobasal degeneration. J Park Dis 5:907–912. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-150625
Pirker S, Perju-Dumbrava L, Kovacs GG et al (2013) Dopamine D2 receptor SPECT in corticobasal syndrome and autopsy-confirmed corticobasal degeneration. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 19:222–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2012.10.010
Frisoni GB, Pizzolato G, Zanetti O et al (1995) Corticobasal degeneration: neuropsychological assessment and dopamine D2 receptor SPECT analysis. Eur Neurol 35:50–54
Hwang W-J, Yao W-J, Wey S-P et al (2002) Downregulation of striatal dopamine D2 receptors in advanced Parkinson’s disease contributes to the development of motor fluctuation. Eur Neurol 47:113–117. https://doi.org/10.1159/000047962
Kaasinen V, Ruottinen HM, Någren K et al (2000) Upregulation of putaminal dopamine D2 receptors in early Parkinson’s disease: a comparative PET study with [11C] raclopride and [11C] N-methylspiperone. J Nucl Med Off Publ Soc Nucl Med 41:65–70
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
AAM Conception, design, and writing the first manuscript. MSJ Design, review, and critique.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflicts of interest
Dr. Murgai reports no disclosures relevant to manuscript. Dr. Jog receives speaker and consultant honoraria from Merz Pharmaceuticals, Allergan, AbbVie. He also receives research grants from CIHR, AMOSO, Allergan, Merz Pharmaceuticals, and Lawson Health Research Institute, and is part of the AGE-WELL Network of Centers of Excellence (NCE) of Canada program. From time to time, he serves on advisory boards of Allergan, Boston Scientific, AbbVie and Merz Pharmaceuticals.
Ethical approval
The authors confirm that the approval of an institutional review board was not required for this work. We also confirm that we have read the Journal’s position on issues involved in ethical publication and affirm that this work is consistent with those guidelines.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murgai, A.A., Jog, M.S. Neurophysiology and neurochemistry of corticobasal syndrome. J Neurol 265, 991–998 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8731-5
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8731-5