Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025
Simultaneous PET/MRI Imaging During Mouse Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: September 20, 2015
Free-water diffusion magnetic resonance imaging under selegiline treatment in Parkinson's disease
Haruka Takeshige-Amano1, Taku Hatano1, Koji Kamagata2
1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
Introduction:
Monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors, including selegiline, are established as anti-Parkinsonian Drugs. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase type B enzymes might suppress the inflammation because of inhibition to generate reactive oxygen species. However, its effect on brain microstructure remains unclear. The aim of this study is to elucidate white matter and substantia nigra (SN) microstructural differences between Patients with Parkinson's disease with and without selegiline treatment by two independently recruited cohorts.
Methods:
Diffusion tensor imaging and free water imaging indices of WM and SN were compared among 22/15 Patients with Parkinson's disease with selegiline (PDselegiline(+)), 33/23 Patients with Parkinson's disease without selegiline (PDselegiline(-)), and 25/20 controls, in the first/second cohorts. Two cohorts were analyzed with different MRI protocols.
Results:
Diffusion tensor imaging and free-water indices of major white matter tracts were significantly differed between the PDselegiline(-) and controls in both cohorts, although not between the PDselegiline(+) and controls except for restricted areas. Compared with the PDselegiline(+), free-water was significantly higher in the PDselegiline(-) in the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, and superior and posterior corona radiata (first cohort) and the forceps major and splenium of the corpus callosum (second cohort). There were no significant differences in free-water of anterior or posterior substantia nigra between PDselegiline(+) and PDselegiline(-).
Conclusions:
Selegiline treatment might reduce the white matter microstructural abnormalities detected by free-water imaging in Parkinson's disease.
Insights
Selegiline treatment may improve white matter abnormalities in Parkinson's disease patients. Free-water imaging showed reduced microstructural differences in selegiline users compared to non-users, suggesting a protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors like selegiline are used for Parkinson's disease.
- MAO-B inhibition may reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species.
- The impact of selegiline on brain microstructure in Parkinson's disease is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter and substantia nigra microstructure differences in Parkinson's disease patients with and without selegiline treatment.
- To compare microstructural changes using diffusion tensor imaging and free water imaging.
Main Methods:
- Two independent cohorts of Parkinson's disease patients (with and without selegiline) and controls were analyzed.
- Diffusion tensor imaging and free water imaging indices were compared.
- Two different MRI protocols were used across the two cohorts.
Main Results:
- White matter tracts showed significant microstructural differences between Parkinson's patients without selegiline and controls.
- These differences were less pronounced or absent in patients treated with selegiline.
- Higher free-water levels were observed in specific white matter tracts in non-selegiline patients compared to selegiline patients.
Conclusions:
- Selegiline treatment may mitigate white matter microstructural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.
- Free-water imaging highlights potential benefits of selegiline on white matter integrity.
