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Microstructural Abnormalities of the Dentatorubrothalamic Tract in Cervical Dystonia
Author(s) -
Sondergaard Rachel E.,
Rockel Conrad P.,
Cortese Filomeno,
Jasaui Yamile,
Pringsheim Tamara M.,
Sarna Justyna R.,
Monchi Oury,
Sadikot Abbas F.,
Pike Bruce G.,
Martino Davide
Publication year - 2021
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.28649
Subject(s) - fractional anisotropy , tractography , diffusion mri , magnetic resonance imaging , cervical dystonia , pathophysiology , pyramidal tracts , medicine , dystonia , parkinson's disease , movement disorders , pathology , psychology , radiology , neuroscience , disease
Background The dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) remains understudied in idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD), despite evidence that the pathway is relevant in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the DRTT in patients with CD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)–based tractography. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging scans from 67 participants were collected to calculate diffusion tractography metrics using a binary tractography‐based DRTT template. Fractional anisotropy and diffusivity measures of left and right DRTT were computed and compared between 32 subjects with CD and 35 age‐matched healthy volunteers. Results Fractional anisotropy of right DRTT and mean and axial diffusivity of left DRTT were significantly reduced in patients with CD. Similar abnormalities were observed in patients with focal CD and patients with CD without tremor. DTI metrics did not correlate with disease duration or severity. Conclusions Significant reductions in DTI measures suggest microstructural abnormalities within the DRTT in CD, characterized by a tractography pattern consistent with decreased axonal integrity. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society