Free water improves detection of changes in the substantia nigra in parkinsonism: A multisite study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Imaging markers that are sensitive to parkinsonism across multiple sites are critically needed for clinical trials. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the substantia nigra using single- and bi-tensor models of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in PD, MSA, and PSP.

Methods

The study cohort (n = 425) included 107 healthy controls and 184 PD, 63 MSA, and 71 PSP patients from 3 movement disorder centers. Bi-tensor free water, free-water-corrected fractional anisotropy, free-water-corrected mean diffusivity, single-tensor fractional anisotropy, and single-tensor mean diffusivity were computed for the anterior and posterior substantia nigra. Correlations were computed between diffusion MRI measures and clinical measures.

Results

In the post

SUBMITTER: Ofori E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5718046 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature