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Background: This study aimed to assess whether quantitative susceptibility imaging (QSM)-based measures of iron accumulation in the cerebellum predict cognitive and behavioral features in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Methods: A total of ALS patients underwent 3-T MRI and a clinical assessment using the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). Regression models were applied to each subscale of the cognitive section of the ECAS and the ECASCarer Interview to examine the effect of QSM-based measures in white and gray matter (WM; GM) of the cerebellum, separately for right, left, and bilateral cerebellar regions of interest (ROIs). These effects were compared to those of cerebellar volumetrics in WM/GM, right and left hemispheres while controlling for demographics, disease status, and total intracranial volume. Results: Higher QSM measures of the cerebellar GM on the left, right, and bilateral sides significantly predicted (ps = 0.003) a greater number of errors on the executive functioning (EF) subscale of the ECAS (ECAS-EF). Moreover, higher GM-related, QSM measures of the cerebellum were associated with an increased probability of a below-cut-off performance on the ECAS-EF (ps = 0.024). No significant effects were observed for QSM measures of the cerebellar WM or for volumetric measures on the ECAS-EF. Other ECAS measures showed no significant effects. Bilateral QSM measures of the cerebellar GM also selectively predicted performance on backward digit span and social cognition tasks. Discussion: Iron accumulation within the cerebellar GM, particularly in the cerebellar cortices, may be associated with executive functioning deficits in nondemented ALS patients. Therefore, QSM-based measures could be useful for identifying the neural correlates of extra-motor cognitive deficits in ALS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterised by chronic widespread pain, often associated with fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive and mood impairment. Pain is a complex and multidimensional experience that significantly impacts personal, social, and professional functioning. Psychological factors related to chronic pain include catastrophising and self-efficacy in managing the painful condition. Therefore, this study explores the influence of chronic pain and related psychological factors on functional outcomes in FM patients., Methods: In this study, 91 Italian patients with FM were assessed using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included instruments to assess pain, such as the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), psychological characteristics, such as the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and health-related quality of life with the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12). Multiple regression models were run, using the Interference subscale of the BPI and the physical and mental components of the SF-12 as outcomes, and the NRS, PCS and PSEQ scales as predictors., Results: Our analysis revealed that in our model, both PCS and PSEQ were significant predictors of BPI-Interference (PCS: β=0.29; p=0.001; PSEQ: β=-0.36; p<0.001); NRS and PSEQ significantly predicted SF-12-Physical score (NRS: β=-0.32; p=<0.001; PSEQ: β=.50; p<0.001); PCS was found to be the only significant predictor of SF-12-Mental scores (β=-0.53; p<0.001)., Conclusions: Our results suggested that psychological variables such as catastrophic thinking and self-efficacy play a significant role in determining daily functioning and physical and mental health status in FM patients, showing greater influence than pain intensity.