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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Cerebral atrophy in myotonic dystrophy: a voxel based morphometric study.
G Antonini1, C Mainero, A Romano
1Neurological Clinic, S, II Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. giovanni.antonini@uniroma1.it
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|October 19, 2004
Summary
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) causes significant grey matter loss in the brain, particularly in frontal and temporal regions. This atrophy accelerates with age more rapidly in DM1 patients than in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem disorder.
- Brain involvement in DM1 includes cortical atrophy and white matter lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the extent of global and regional cortical atrophy in DM1 patients.
- To investigate the relationship between cortical atrophy and clinical/genetic features in DM1.
Main Methods:
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to compare brain grey matter maps.
- 22 DM1 patients were compared with matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- DM1 patients showed significantly reduced brain tissue volumes.
- Grey matter volume was inversely correlated with age, more strongly in DM1.
- Atrophy was prominent in frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes.
Conclusions:
- DM1 is associated with significant grey matter atrophy, predominantly in specific cortical regions.
- Accelerated brain aging is a feature of DM1.
- Cortical atrophy in DM1 is not directly correlated with clinical or genetic factors studied.
