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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging detects pyramidal tract degeneration in primary lateral sclerosis
L C Tzarouchi1, A P Kyritsis, S Giannopoulos
1Department Radiology, Medical School University of Ioannina, Greece.
Objective:
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a progressive degenerative disorder affecting upper motor neurons and requires a clinical diagnosis. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a quantitative method for assessing white matter fibre integrity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the involvement of upper motor neurons by using DTI in PLS.
Methods:
A patient with PLS was compared with eight age-matched controls. Differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) index were assessed using DTI on a voxel-by-voxel basis.
Results:
Decreased FA was observed in the proximal part of the pyramidal tract bilaterally, which indicated degeneration of the pyramidal cells.
Conclusion:
Voxel-based DTI could be used as an objective marker for detecting upper motor neuron degeneration in PLS.
