High-resolution mapping of substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease using 7 tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

ABSTRACT: Parkinson's disease causes a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and iron accumulation in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Using ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 tesla in 43 Parkinson's patients and 24 healthy controls, we analyzed the voxel-wise pattern of structural disintegration of dopamine neurons with neuromelanin-sensitive MRI, along with assessing iron accumulation using R2* and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). We also explored correlations between these measures and the severity of residual motor symptoms in the on-medication state and other clinical variables. Differences were most notable in the nigrosomes within the pars compacta, with patients showing reduced neuromelanin signals and increased QSM values. Severity and asymmetry of motor

SUBMITTER: Madelung CF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12056087 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature