title: [Cutting-edge MRI techniques for studying neurological diseases focusing on spinocerebellar degeneration].
abstract: This symposium discusses the utility of the different MR techniques in the diagnosis and management of spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD). Conventional MRI is widely used and can show characteristic signal abnormalities such as putaminal hyperintensity, hyperintense putaminal rim, putaminal hypointensity, hot cross bun sign in the pontine base, and hyperintensity in the middle cerebellar peduncles strengthening a diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA). However, the diagnostic utility of these signal abnormalities in early MSA remains restricted. In addition, it should be considered that different magnetic field strengths and sequences could be influenced on the findings resulting false negative. On the other hand, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and voxel based morphometry (VBM) in the pontine base, cerebellum, and putamen will be informative in the early diagnosis of MSA and other SCD prior to conventional MRI changes and even before any clinical manifestation of symptoms. Particularly, DWI, DTI, and VBM are expected to have potential as surrogate markers of disease progression. Further prospective and large studies including earlier disease stages will be needed to clarify whether these novel MR techniques will aid in the future sets of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Hirohisa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Senda
authors.forename: Mizuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atsuta
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haram
authors.forename: Hazuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Ryoichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuboi
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naganawa
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sobue
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology