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Visualization and quantification of disease progression in multiple system atrophy
Till-Karsten Hauser1, Andreas Luft, Martin Skalej
1Department of General Neurology, Center of Neurology and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract:
To visualize and quantify disease progression in multiple system atrophy (MSA) from cerebellar type (MSA-C), we combined two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and 3D-based volumetry. Patients suffering from MSA-C (n = 14) were imaged twice with an interval of 2.0 +/- 0.2 years. We first applied VBM to map brain morphology changes between MSA patients and controls and to identify brain areas that showed a significant amount of atrophy. Using 3D-based volumetry, we confirmed that in MSA-C patients, the brainstem including medulla and pons, vermis and cerebellar hemispheres, caudate nucleus and putamen showed significant atrophy compared with controls. Next, we used 3D-based volumetry to analyze the atrophy rates. Atrophy rates in patients with MSA were significantly different from controls for putamen (-11.4% +/- 2.6%/year), vermis (-12.3% +/- 2.9%/year), and cerebellar hemispheres (-6.6% +/- 1.1%/year). The results show that 3D-based MRI volumetry is a tool that allows the disease progression of MSA to be followed over a time period of 2 years and suggest that it may serve as a surrogate marker in clinical trials to measure disease progression.
Insights
Multiple System Atrophy cerebellar type (MSA-C) shows significant brain atrophy, particularly in the putamen, vermis, and cerebellar hemispheres. 3D MRI volumetry can track this disease progression over two years.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple System Atrophy cerebellar type (MSA-C) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Accurate visualization and quantification of disease progression are crucial for understanding MSA-C.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers advanced techniques for brain morphology assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize and quantify disease progression in MSA-C using combined MRI techniques.
- To assess the rate of brain atrophy in different regions affected by MSA-C.
- To evaluate the potential of 3D-based MRI volumetry as a surrogate marker for clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Combined Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) and 3D-based volumetry MRI techniques.
- Longitudinal imaging of 14 MSA-C patients over approximately 2 years.
- Comparison of brain morphology and atrophy rates between MSA-C patients and controls.
Main Results:
- VBM identified significant atrophy in MSA-C patients compared to controls.
- 3D-based volumetry confirmed atrophy in the brainstem (medulla, pons), vermis, cerebellar hemispheres, caudate nucleus, and putamen.
- Significant annual atrophy rates were observed in the putamen (-11.4%), vermis (-12.3%), and cerebellar hemispheres (-6.6%) in MSA-C patients.
Conclusions:
- 3D-based MRI volumetry effectively visualizes and quantifies disease progression in MSA-C over a 2-year period.
- This technique can serve as a valuable surrogate marker for disease progression in clinical trials for MSA-C.
- The study highlights specific brain regions most affected by atrophy in MSA-C, aiding in understanding disease pathology.
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