In Vivo Characterization of Cerebellar Peduncles in Chronic Ankle Instability: A Single and Multishell...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Orthopedics
• Radiology

Background:

• Ankle sprains can cause proprioceptor damage and joint deafferentation, potentially leading to maladaptive neuroplasticity in chronic ankle instability (CAI).
• Previous research highlighted superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) impairment in CAI, but the inferior (ICP) and middle cerebellar peduncles (MCP) remain understudied.
• This study investigates alterations in the ICP and MCP in individuals with CAI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare diffusion imaging metrics (FA and ODI) of cerebellar peduncles between individuals with CAI and healthy controls.
• To explore the relationship between these metrics and sensorimotor deficits in CAI patients.
• To investigate potential neuroplastic changes in the cerebellum associated with CAI.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 27 participants with CAI and 26 healthy controls.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) were used to analyze the ICP, MCP, and SCP.
• Correlation analyses examined the association between FA/ODI values and Y-balance scores/duration of ankle instability.

Main Results:

• Participants with CAI exhibited significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the ipsilateral ICP compared to controls (P=0.04).
• A trend towards higher orientation dispersion index (ODI) was observed in the ICP of CAI participants (P=0.08).
• ICP ODI positively correlated with the duration of ankle instability (r=0.42, P=0.03).

Conclusions:

• The ICP shows impaired structural integrity and altered neurite organization in individuals with CAI.
• These ICP changes may be an integral part of the CAI pathological process.
• ICP integrity could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for CAI.