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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
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Abnormal brain white matter in patients with hemifacial spasm: a diffusion tensor imaging study.
Chenguang Guo1, Hui Xu1,2, Xuan Niu1
1Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, People's Republic of China.
Neuroradiology
|December 4, 2019
Summary
White matter (WM) abnormalities, particularly in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), are linked to hemifacial spasm (HFS). Increased radial diffusivity (RD) in these areas correlates with spasm severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Background:
- Hemifacial spasm (HFS) causes refractory facial contractions and emotional distress.
- The role of white matter (WM) abnormalities in HFS pathogenesis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter (WM) alterations in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS).
- To explore the relationship between WM integrity, spasm severity, and emotional disturbances in HFS.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on 26 HFS patients and 29 healthy controls.
- Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyzed DTI metrics (FA, MD, RD, AD) to identify group differences.
- Spearman correlation assessed links between clinical symptoms and WM abnormalities.
Main Results:
- HFS patients exhibited widespread WM structural alterations, including in the corpus callosum and several fasciculi.
- Decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD) were observed in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus (IFOF).
- Increased RD in the right ILF and IFOF positively correlated with hemifacial spasm severity.
Conclusions:
- This study reveals extensive white matter (WM) integrity disruptions in HFS patients.
- Altered radial diffusivity (RD) in the right ILF and IFOF may serve as imaging biomarkers for HFS characteristics.
