Magnetic resonance imaging of the midbrain in Parkinson's disease.
We have analyzed magnetic resonance images of the midbrain in patients with Parkinson's disease, and have found that there is a narrowing of the signal from the pars compacta of the substantia nigra relative to controls. The nature of the histological changes that may be responsible for this effect is discussed. Magnetic resonance imaging has the potential of becoming a useful diagnostic tool in the management of parkinsonism.
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000473:pathology*