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Three‐dimensional neuromelanin‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging of the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Prasad S.,
Stezin A.,
Lenka A.,
George L.,
Saini J.,
Yadav R.,
Pal P. K.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.13573
Subject(s) - neuromelanin , substantia nigra , pars compacta , parkinson's disease , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , midbrain , pathology , neuroscience , nuclear magnetic resonance , nuclear medicine , central nervous system , disease , radiology , biology , physics
Background and purpose The aim was to investigate the diagnostic utility of signal intensity measurement of the substantia nigra pars compacta ( SN c) using three‐dimensional (3D) neuromelanin‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ), for discrimination of patients with Parkinson's disease ( PD ) from healthy controls. Methods T1‐weighted neuromelanin‐sensitive images of 16 patients with PD and 15 controls were quantitatively analyzed by placing circular 10 mm 2 regions of interest over the central and lateral parts of the bilateral SN c and anterior to the cerebral aqueduct at three levels of the midbrain. Signal intensities and contrast ratios ( CR s) were calculated, after which significant differences, correlations, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results The CR s of the central and lateral SN c were significantly lower in patients with PD . Lateral CR s were lower than the central CR s in both groups and significantly correlated with duration of illness. CR s of central and lateral parts of the SN c also correlated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III OFF state scores. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed lateral CR s to be more sensitive and central CR s to be more specific for the discrimination of patients with PD from controls. Conclusions Contrast ratio analysis of the SN c using 3D neuromelanin‐sensitive MRI may serve as a quick and accurate tool to discern between patients with PD and healthy controls.