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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Structural changes of central white matter tracts in Kennedy's disease - a diffusion tensor imaging and voxel-based
C C Pieper1, C Konrad, J Sommer
1Department of Radiology, University of Muenster, Germany.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Kennedy's disease (KD) causes subtle white matter changes in the central nervous system, affecting brainstem and WM tracts. Gray matter volume remained unaffected in this neurodegenerative disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
Background:
- Spinobulbar muscular atrophy, also known as Kennedy's disease (KD), is a rare X-linked neurodegenerative disorder.
- KD primarily affects spinal and bulbar motoneurons but is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize structural changes in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) within the central nervous system of KD patients.
- To investigate the extent of central nervous system involvement in Kennedy's disease.
Main Methods:
- Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were applied to MRI data.
- Eight genetically confirmed KD patients were compared with 16 healthy age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Diffusion tensor imaging revealed decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the brainstem and widespread changes in central white matter tracts.
- VBM analysis indicated white matter alterations primarily in the brainstem and cerebellum, with no significant changes in gray matter volume.
- Reduced FA values in the brainstem showed a correlation with disease duration.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion tensor imaging identified subtle alterations in central white matter tract integrity in KD patients.
- Kennedy's disease demonstrated more extensive central nervous system effects than previously documented.
- Observed changes may result from primary neurodegeneration or secondary plastic alterations due to lower motor neuron atrophy and cortical reorganization.
