Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
Published on: June 26, 2013
Fronto-caudate and callosal microstructural alterations: unveiling multimodal MRI biomarkers in early Parkinson's
Angela Bernabéu-Sanz1,2, Sandra Morales3, Valery Naranjo3
1Magnetic Resonance Department, Inscanner SL, Calle San Pedro Poveda 10, Alicante, CP 03010, Spain.
Objectives:
This study investigated grey and white matter alterations and their association with motor and cognitive symptoms in early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD).
Methods:
Thirty-one early-stage PD patients and 30 matched healthy controls underwent multimodal MRI (VBM, DTI) and comprehensive clinical/neuropsychological assessments. We assessed grey matter atrophy, white matter microstructure, and caudate-cortical connectivity.
Results:
Parkinson's disease (PD) patients showed selective deficits in memory (FCSRT total recall, P-FDR = .014) and processing speed (SDMT, P-FDR = .025). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) revealed bilateral caudate atrophy (left, P-FDR = .024; right, P-FDR = .026). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) demonstrated widespread microstructural alterations in corpus callosum and major association tracts. Disease duration negatively correlated with corpus callosum streamline counts (superior parietal P-FDR = .02; posterior parietal P-FDR = .004). UPDRS negatively correlated with fractional anisotropy (FA) in occipital (P-FDR = .002) and temporal (P-FDR = .0017) corpus callosum segments. Reduced caudate-cortical streamline density in frontal regions correlated with UPDRS/FCSRT scores; caudate-cingulum streamlines correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) attention/calculation.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest early functionally relevant degeneration of fronto-caudate and interhemispheric pathways in PD. These structural changes correlate with specific cognitive and motor impairments, and are candidate imaging biomarkers for early PD progression and/or cognitive vulnerability.
Advances In Knowledge:
This is the first tractography study to evaluate connectivity between the caudate nuclei and different frontal lobe regions, unveiling specific white matter alterations in early PD. Our findings suggest that caudate atrophy, though not directly correlated with clinical variables, may underlie or result from impaired caudate-cortical connectivity, potentially accounting for some of the multifaceted PD symptoms.
Insights
Early Parkinson's disease (PD) shows brain structure changes linked to cognitive and motor symptoms. Fronto-caudate and interhemispheric pathway degeneration are identified as potential biomarkers for disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Brain Anatomy
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting motor function.
- Early-stage PD involves subtle cognitive and motor deficits that may be linked to underlying brain structural changes.
- Understanding these early changes is crucial for predicting disease progression and cognitive vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gray and white matter alterations in early-stage PD.
- To examine the association between these structural changes and motor/cognitive symptoms.
- To identify potential imaging biomarkers for early PD.
Main Methods:
- Multimodal MRI (Voxel-Based Morphometry and Diffusion Tensor Imaging) was used.
- Thirty-one early-stage PD patients and 30 healthy controls were included.
- Comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessments were performed.
Main Results:
- PD patients exhibited memory and processing speed deficits.
- VBM revealed bilateral caudate atrophy.
- DTI showed widespread white matter microstructural alterations, particularly in the corpus callosum and association tracts, correlating with disease duration and motor scores.
- Reduced fronto-caudate and caudate-cingulum streamline density correlated with cognitive and motor impairments.
Conclusions:
- Early-stage PD is characterized by functionally relevant degeneration of fronto-caudate and interhemispheric pathways.
- These structural changes are associated with specific cognitive and motor impairments.
- The identified structural alterations serve as candidate imaging biomarkers for early PD progression and cognitive vulnerability.
More Related Videos
09:06Whole-brain Segmentation and Change-point Analysis of Anatomical Brain MRI—Application in Premanifest Huntington's Disease
Published on: June 9, 2018
11:50A Standardized Pipeline for Examining Human Cerebellar Grey Matter Morphometry using Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: February 4, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
01:24Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology