Asymmetrical lateral ventricular enlargement in Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
A recent case report suggested the presence of asymmetrical lateral ventricular enlargement associated with motor asymmetry in Parkinson's disease (PD). The current study explored these associations further.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging (3T) scans were obtained on 17 PD and 15 healthy control subjects at baseline and 12-43 months later. Baseline and longitudinal lateral ventricular volumetric changes were compared between contralateral and ipsilateral ventricles in PD subjects relative to symptom onset side and in controls relative to their dominant hand. Correlations between changes in ventricular volume and United Parkinson's disease rating scale motor scores (UPDRS-III) whilst on medication were determined.


RESULTS
The lateral ventricle contralateral to symptom onset side displayed a faster rate of enlargement compared to the ipsilateral (P = 0.004) in PD subjects, with no such asymmetry detected (P = 0.312) in controls. There was a positive correlation between ventricular enlargement and worsening motor function assessed by UPDRS-III scores (r = 0.96, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is asymmetrical lateral ventricular enlargement that is associated with PD motor asymmetry and progression. Further studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanism(s), as well as the potential of using volumetric measurements as a marker for PD progression.
Lewis
M M
MM
Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA.
Smith
A B
AB
Styner
M
M
Gu
H
H
Poole
R
R
Zhu
H
H
Li
Y
Y
Barbero
X
X
Gouttard
S
S
McKeown
M J
MJ
Mailman
R B
RB
Huang
X
X
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents