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Reduced gray matter volume and respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: a voxel-based morphometry study
Sieh-Yang Lee1, Meng-Hsiang Chen1, Pi-Ling Chiang1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung, Kaohsiung, 83305, Taiwan.
BMC Neurology
|May 28, 2018
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with respiratory dysfunction show reduced gray matter volume (GMV) in key brain areas. This gray matter loss, not inflammation, is linked to impaired pulmonary function in PD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Respiratory dysfunction is an emerging concern in Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Gray matter volume (GMV) changes and systemic inflammation are potential factors influencing PD-related respiratory issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between GMV, using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and respiratory dysfunction in PD patients.
- To explore correlations between GMV, clinical severity, and inflammatory markers in PD.
Main Methods:
- Whole-brain VBM analysis on T1-weighted MRI scans of 50 PD patients (25 with abnormal, 25 with normal pulmonary function).
- Flow cytometry was used to determine inflammatory markers.
- Statistical analysis adjusted for age, gender, and total intracranial volume.
Main Results:
- PD patients with abnormal pulmonary function exhibited significantly smaller GMV in regions including the left parahippocampal formation, right fusiform gyrus, right cerebellum crus, and left postcentral gyri.
- Pulmonary function measures (FEV1, MEF50) positively correlated with regional GMV.
- No significant differences in serum inflammatory markers were found between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Central autonomic network involvement and gray matter loss are implicated in respiratory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
- VBM analysis reveals specific brain regions associated with impaired respiratory function in PD.