Corticospinal tract involvement in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: a diffusion tensor imaging study.
Neuroradiology 2020;
63:217-224. [PMID:
32876704 DOI:
10.1007/s00234-020-02528-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the integrity of the corticospinal tracts (CST) in patients with SCA3 and age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We also looked at the clinical correlates of such diffusivity abnormalities.
METHODS
We assessed 2 cohorts from different Brazilian centers: cohort 1 (n = 29) scanned in a 1.5 T magnet and cohort 2 (n = 91) scanned in a 3.0 T magnet. We used Pearson's coefficients to assess the correlation of CST DTI parameters and ataxia severity (expressed by SARA scores).
RESULTS
Two different results were obtained. Cohort 1 showed no significant between-group differences in DTI parameters. Cohort 2 showed significant between-group differences in the FA values in the bilateral precentral gyri (p < 0.001), bilateral superior corona radiata (p < 0.001), bilateral posterior limb of the internal capsule (p < 0.001), bilateral cerebral peduncle (p < 0.001), and bilateral basis pontis (p < 0.001). There was moderate correlation between CST diffusivity parameters and SARA scores in cohort 2 (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.40-0.59).
CONCLUSION
DTI particularly at 3 T is able to uncover and quantify CST damage in SCA3. Moreover, CST microstructural damage may contribute with ataxia severity in the disease.
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