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Structural changes of central white matter tracts in K ennedy's disease – a diffusion tensor imaging and voxel‐based morphometry study
Author(s) -
Pieper C. C.,
Konrad C.,
Sommer J.,
Teismann I.,
Schiffbauer H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.12018
Subject(s) - diffusion mri , white matter , voxel , voxel based morphometry , medicine , neuroscience , magnetic resonance imaging , pathology , psychology , radiology
Objectives Spinobulbar muscular atrophy [ K ennedy's disease ( KD )] is a rare X ‐linked neurodegenerative disorder of mainly spinal and bulbar motoneurons. Recent studies suggest a multisystem character of this disease. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize structural changes of gray ( GM ) and white matter ( WM ) in the central nervous system. Material and methods Whole‐brain‐based voxel‐based morphometry ( VBM ) and diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI ) analyses were applied to MRI data of eight genetically proven patients with KD and compared with 16 healthy age‐matched controls. Results Diffusion tensor imaging analysis showed not only decreased fractional anisotropy ( FA ) values in the brainstem, but also widespread changes in central WM tracts, whereas VBM analysis of the WM showed alterations primarily in the brainstem and cerebellum. There were no changes in GM volume. The FA value decrease in the brainstem correlated with the disease duration. Conclusion Diffusion tensor imaging analysis revealed subtle changes of central WM tract integrity, while GM and WM volume remained unaffected. In our patient sample, KD had more extended effects than previously reported. These changes could either be attributed primarily to neurodegeneration or reflect secondary plastic changes due to atrophy of lower motor neurons and reorganization of cortical structures.