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Cortical atrophy in the cerebellar variant of multiple system atrophy: A voxel‐based morphometry study
Author(s) -
Brenneis Christian,
Boesch Sylvia M.,
Egger Karl E.,
Seppi Klaus,
Scherfler Christoph,
Schocke Michael,
Wenning Gregor K.,
Poewe Werner
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.20656
Subject(s) - atrophy , pons , cerebellum , cerebellar vermis , voxel based morphometry , spinocerebellar ataxia , psychology , white matter , anatomy , midbrain , ataxia , neuroscience , pathology , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , central nervous system , radiology
This study aimed to determine in vivo the atrophy patterns in clinically established cerebellar variant of multiple‐system atrophy (MSA‐C) using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). Thirteen patients with MSA‐C (12 probable, 1 possible) and 13 healthy controls matched for age and sex were included. High‐resolution MR images were acquired with a 1.5 T scanner. Images were normalized onto a study‐specific template, segmented into the tissue compartments, modulated with the Jacobian determinants, and finally smoothed with a Gaussian kernel filter of 10 mm. The general linear model was used to assess statistical differences in gray and white matter. Infratentorial atrophy was observed in the cerebellar hemispheres, vermis, mesencephalon, and pons of MSA‐C patients. Supratentorial volume loss was found in orbitofrontal and mid‐frontal regions as well as in temporomesial and insular areas of both hemispheres. A negative correlation was observed between a cerebellar ataxia score and the volume of cerebellar hemispheres, peduncles, and pons. To compare this atrophy pattern to that of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA2), which was previously reported by our group, a conjunction analysis was assessed. We observed a volume loss shared by both disorders comprising the cerebellum, vermis, pons, mesencephalon, orbitofrontal, mid‐frontal, and temporomesial cortex of both hemispheres as well as the left insular cortex. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society