Microglia activation is related to substantia nigra echogenicity.
Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) is a sensitive marker for Parkinson's disease (PD). Previously, a relation between SN echogenicity and iron as well as neuromelanin content could be described in 60 human brains. In the present study on a subset of 33 brains, SN echogenicity was found to be correlated with microglia activation (ρ = 0.46, p = 0.008) after correction for iron and neuromelanin content. These findings strengthen the hypothesis of a close pathophysiological connection between SN hyperechogenicity and PD pathology.
Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. daniela.berg@uni-tuebingen.de
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Berg
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Godau
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Riederer
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Gerlach
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Arzberger
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial