title: Cognitive Deficits Correlate with White Matter Deterioration in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cognitive and white matter deterioration in a group of participants with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen genetically confirmed participants with SCA2 and 14 aged-matched controls participated in the study. Diffusion tensor imaging tract-based spatial statistics were performed to analyze structural white matter integrity. Significant group differences in the mean diffusivity were correlated with SCA2 cognitive deficits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our analysis revealed higher mean diffusivity in the SCA2 group in cerebellar white matter, medial lemniscus, and middle cerebellar peduncle, among other regions. Cognitive scores correlated with white matter mean diffusivity in the parahippocampal area, inferior frontal and supramarginal gyri and the stria terminalis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show significant correlations between white matter microstructural damage in key areas affected in SCA2 and cognitive deficits. These findings result in a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of the neurodegenerative process in people with SCA2.
authors.affiliation: 1Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - Cátedras - Instituto de Neuroetología,Universidad Veracruzana,México.
authors.forename: Carlos R
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1208-5577
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Castillo
authors.affiliation: 2Laboratorio de Neuropsicología,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,México.
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vaca-Palomares
authors.affiliation: 3Posgrado en Neuroetologia,Universidad Veracruzana,México.
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galvez
authors.affiliation: 4Unidad Periférica de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suarez",México.
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campos-Romo
authors.affiliation: 2Laboratorio de Neuropsicología,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,México.
authors.forename: Rosalinda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: 2Laboratorio de Neuropsicología,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,México.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020754:Spinocerebellar Ataxias / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DTI; SCA2; Spatial working memory; attention shifting; inferior frontal gyrus; parahippocampal gyrus