Orthogonal diffusion-weighted MRI measures distinguish region-specific degeneration in cerebellar ataxia subtypes.
The cerebellar peduncles are excellent candidates for composite indicators of regional degeneration in posterior fossa structures, as the peduncles show histopathological changes in degenerative ataxia. We postulate that magnetic resonance imaging will reveal evidence of disease specific peduncle degeneration through macrostructural (cross-sectional area) and microstructural (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity) measures. This study presents a "proof of principle" using orthogonal diffusion tensor imaging cross-sections of the cerebellar peduncles to distinguish categories of cerebellar disease.
Ying
Sarah H
SH
Landman
Bennett A
BA
Chowdhury
Shwetadwip
S
Sinofsky
Alexander H
AH
Gambini
Anna
A
Mori
Susumu
S
Zee
David S
DS
Prince
Jerry L
JL
D016880:Anisotropy; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013681:Tegmentum Mesencephali / Q000473:pathology*