Postnatal decrease in substantia nigra echogenicity. Implications for the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Semi-Quantitative Determination of Dopaminergic Neuron Density in the Substantia Nigra of Rodent Models using Automated Image Analysis
Published on: February 2, 2021
Alexander Iova1, Andrew Garmashov, Natalia Androuchtchenko
1Saint-Petersburg Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Department of Child Neurology and Neurosurgery, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Abstract:
Increased echogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) on transcranial ultrasonography (TCS) is a typical sign in Parkinson's disease (PD). Detected in healthy adults it is assumed to represent a risk factor for nigral injury. We studied at which time point of brain maturation increased signal intensity may occur by performing TCS scans in 109 newborns and children aged 0-192 months. While newborns regularly exhibit SN hyperechogenicity, this echofeature decreases substantially during the first years of life. As SN echogenicity is related to the tissue iron content in adults our findings suggest a failure in SN iron metabolism in some children with increased echogenicity during development which can be disclosed by TCS.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neural Regulation
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

