Thalamic and Cerebellar Regional Involvement across the ALS–FTD Spectrum and the Effect of C9orf72

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are part of the same disease spectrum. While thalamic–cerebellar degeneration has been observed in C9orf72 expansion carriers, the exact subregions involved across the clinical phenotypes of the ALS–FTD spectrum remain unclear. Using MRIs from 58 bvFTD, 41 ALS–FTD and 52 ALS patients compared to 57 controls, we aimed to delineate thalamic and cerebellar subregional changes across the ALS–FTD spectrum and to contrast these profiles between cases with and without C9orf72 expansions. Thalamic involvement was evident across all ALS–FTD clinical phenotypes, with the laterodorsal nucleus commonly affected across all groups (values below the 2.5th control percentile). The mediodorsal nucleus was disproportionately affected in bvFTD and ALS–FTD but not in ALS. Cerebellar changes were only observed in bvFTD and ALS–FTD predominantly in the superior–posterior region. Comparison of genetic versus sporadic cases revealed significantly lower volumes exclusively in the pulvinar in C9orf72 expansion carriers compared to non-carriers, irrespective of clinical syndrome. Overall, bvFTD showed significant correlations between thalamic subregions, level of cognitive dysfunction and severity of behavioural symptoms. Notably, strong associations were evident between mediodorsal nucleus atrophy and severity of behavioural changes in C9orf72-bvFTD (r = −0.9, p < 0.0005). Our findings reveal distinct thalamic and cerebellar atrophy profiles across the ALS–FTD spectrum, with differential impacts on behaviour and cognition, and point to a unique contribution of C9orf72 expansions in the clinical profiles of these patients.