Meeting Banner
Abstract #2849

Detecting Alterations in Substantia Nigra in Parkinsons Disease

Xiangchuan Chen1, Daniel Huddleston2, 3, Jason Langley1, Xiaoping P. Hu1

1Biomedical Imaging Technology Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; 2Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research Southeast, Atlanta, GA, United States; 3Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States

Alterations in the substantia nigra (SN) in Parkinsons disease (PD) were investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). By using a semi-automated approach, contrast-to-noise ratio and number of voxels of the SN were measured, which showed significant differences between a PD and a control group. These results suggest that loss of neuromelanin containing neurons, as occurs in PD, can be measured with this MRI approach. Moreover, these two MRI measures were significantly correlated with the orthostatic blood pressure drop, a phenotypic measure relevant to PD, implicating the role of SN in the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension in PD.

Abstract PDF Presentation Video

Keywords

accurate addition alterations amount analyzed applied approximately arise assessed assumed assumption award background bandwidth barely behavioral binary biomedical blood bottom brain calculating circles confound consecutive contain containing contrast contributions control controlling controls correlated correlation correlations correspond covariates defined defining degree delineating delineation detect detecting deviation diameter disease disorders distributed distribution drop eighteen error examine examined excellence finding flanking foundation fully generated gradient health hemisphere highlighted idea implicates inaccuracy inconsistency innovation integrity intensities intensity investigate investigation kaiser leading loss magnetization manual manually matrix measure measured measures medical movement multivariate negative neurology neuronal neurons noise normally occurs otherwise outcomes partial participated patients pilot placed predicted preparation pressure previous procedure pulse quantitative registered related relevant reports represented require role scanner segmented semiautomated sensitive significantly slice slices solutions southeast starting statistical stem steps still studies subject subjects supported supporting surrounding technology tissue tissues transfer trio understood univariate usually verified volume warranting whose