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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging of Microstructural Changes in Gray Matter Nucleus in Parkinson Disease
Gao Bingbing1, Zhou Yujing1, Miao Yanwei1
1Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Abstract:
Objective: To explore the microstructural damage of extrapyramidal system gray matter nuclei in Parkinson disease (PD) using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Materials and Methods: We enrolled 35 clinically confirmed PD patients and 23 healthy volunteers. All patients underwent MR examination with conventional MRI scan sequences and an additional DKI sequence. We subsequently reconstructed the DKI raw images and analyzed the data. A radiologist in our hospital collected the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of all subjects. Results: In the PD group, the mean kurtosis and axial kurtosis level decreased in the red nucleus (RN) and thalamus; the radial kurtosis increased in the substantia nigra (SN) and globus pallidus (GP). Fractional anisotropy decreased in the putamen. The largest area under the ROC curve of mean diffusion in GP was 0.811. Most kurtosis parameters demonstrated a positive correlation with the MMSE score, while several diffusion parameters showed a negative correlation with the same. Conclusion: DKI can qualitatively distinguish PD from healthy controls; furthermore, DKI-derived parameters can quantitatively evaluate the modifications of microstructures in extrapyramidal system gray matter nucleus in PD.
Insights
Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) reveals microstructural changes in Parkinson disease (PD) gray matter nuclei. DKI parameters can differentiate PD patients from healthy individuals and correlate with cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Parkinson disease (PD) involves progressive neurodegeneration affecting the extrapyramidal system.
- Conventional MRI may not fully capture the subtle microstructural alterations in PD.
- Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) offers enhanced sensitivity to tissue microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microstructural damage in extrapyramidal system gray matter nuclei in PD using DKI.
- To assess the potential of DKI parameters in distinguishing PD from healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between DKI metrics and cognitive function in PD patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 35 PD patients and 23 healthy volunteers underwent MRI with conventional sequences and DKI.
- DKI raw images were reconstructed and analyzed to derive microstructural parameters.
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were collected to assess cognitive function.
Main Results:
- PD patients showed decreased mean and axial kurtosis in the red nucleus and thalamus.
- Increased radial kurtosis was observed in the substantia nigra and globus pallidus of PD patients.
- Decreased fractional anisotropy in the putamen and correlations between DKI parameters and MMSE scores were noted.
Conclusions:
- DKI can effectively differentiate PD patients from healthy controls.
- DKI-derived parameters provide quantitative insights into microstructural modifications in PD-affected gray matter nuclei.
- DKI shows promise as a tool for evaluating PD-related neurodegeneration and its impact on cognition.
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