Dataset Information

Case control study of diffusion tensor imaging in Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Preliminary work has shown that diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) may contribute to the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives

We conducted a large, prospective, case control study to determine: (1) if fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on DTI in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra are different between patients with PD and healthy controls; and (2) the predictive value of these parameters and their clinical utility.

Methods

DTI imaging was carried out in patients with PD and controls. FA and ADC values were obtained from various brain structures on the DTI scan using the diffusion tensor taskcard. The structures studied were: caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus and substantia nigra.