Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2019) 63 GP170 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.63.GP170

ECE2019 Guided Posters Obesity (1) (11 abstracts)

Microstructural white matter changes using diffusion tensor imaging in patients with Cushing’s disease

Eesh Bhatia 1 , Suvrit Jain 1 , Sunil Kumar 2 , Latha Satish 3 , Rajesh Kumar 4 & Sanjay Behari 5


1Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India; 2Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India; 3Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Bengaluru, India; 4Department of Anaesthesiology, Radiological Sciences and Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA; 5Department of Neurosurgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.


Cushing’s disease (CD) results in chronic exposure to increased levels of cortisol leading to alterations in white matter microarchitecture and adverse effects on cognitive functioning. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a novel technique used to evaluate the integrity of white matter (WM) architecture. There is little information on DTI changes in CD. We studied WM changes in CD using diffusion tensor imaging and compared with healthy controls. 16 patients with active CD (abnormal low dose dexamethasone suppression test, elevated salivary cortisol, elevated ACTH, pituitary microadenoma on imaging) and 16 matched healthy controls were analysed through DTI (Voxel based analysis) for fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD). We also studied cognitive function using a standardized testing protocol for Indian subjects. There were widespread alterations (reduced FA, increased MD, AD, and RD) in patients with CD as compared with controls. Areas of the brain which are involved in cognitive function were significantly affected, included the hippocampus, cingulum and corpus callosum. On cognitive assessment impaired cognitive functioning affecting memory and learning (specifically verbal learning and logical memory) were significantly impaired in patients with CD. In summary, verbal learning and logical memory were impaired in CD. White matter alterations are seen in multiple areas associated with cognitive functioning.

Volume 63

21st European Congress of Endocrinology

Lyon, France
18 May 2019 - 21 May 2019

European Society of Endocrinology 

Browse other volumes

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.