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Updated: May 26, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Combined brain voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging study in idiopathic restless legs syndrome
G Rizzo1, D Manners, R Vetrugno
1Functional MR Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Aging and Nephrology, University of Bologna Institute of Neurological Sciences, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy.
Background And Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of abnormalities in the brain of patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) using voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
Methods:
Twenty patients and twenty controls were studied. Voxel-based morphometry analysis was performed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM8) and FSL-VBM software tools. For voxel-wise analysis of DTI, tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and SPM8 were used.
Results:
Applying an appropriate threshold of probability, no significant results were found either in comparison or in correlation analyses.
Conclusions:
Our data argue against clear structural or microstructural abnormalities in the brain of patients with idiopathic RLS, suggesting a prevalent role of functional or metabolic impairment.
