Evidence of Small Vessel Disease in Patients with Transient Global Amnesia Based on the Peak Width of Skeletonized Mean Diffusivity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) is a novel marker of small vessel disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of small vessel disease in patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) by using the PSMD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 75 patients newly diagnosed with TGA and included 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. DTI was performed by using a 3T MR imaging scanner. We measured the PSMD based on DTI by using the FSL program. This measure was compared between patients with TGA and healthy controls. Additionally, we conducted a correlation analysis to explore the relationship between PSMD and clinical factors.

RESULTS: A significant difference in the PSMD between patients with TGA and healthy controls was observed. Patients with TGA exhibited higher a PSMD compared with healthy controls (2.297 ± 0.232 versus 2.188 ± 0.216 × 10⁻⁴ mm²/s, P = .005). Additionally, patients with TGA but without any vascular risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia, also exhibited higher a PSMD compared with healthy controls (2.278 ± 0.253 versus 2.188 ± 0.216 × 10⁻⁴ mm²/s, P = .036). The PSMD positively correlated with age (r = 0.248, P = .032); however, it was not associated with duration of amnesia.

CONCLUSIONS: This finding underscores the feasibility of using PSMD as a marker for detecting small vessel diseases in patients with neurologic disorders. Furthermore, our study also implies the presence of small vessel disease may be present in patients with TGA.