RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Spinocerebellar Ataxias Types 1 and 2
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1996
OP 2000
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A0716
VO 28
IS 10
A1 M.L. Mandelli
A1 T. De Simone
A1 L. Minati
A1 M.G. Bruzzone
A1 C. Mariotti
A1 R. Fancellu
A1 M. Savoiardo
A1 M. Grisoli
YR 2007
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/28/10/1996.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Structural MR imaging does not enable reliable differentiation of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1 and 2 (SCA1 and SCA2), and imaging may be normal during the first years after the onset of symptoms. We aimed at determining whether measurements of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) may enable their differentiation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 14 patients with SCA1, 11 with SCA2, and 9 age-matched controls. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on a 1.5T scanner, with b = 1000s/mm2 and 12 directions. ADC and FA were measured by means of regions of interest, positioned in the corticospinal tract at the level of the cerebral peduncle and at the level of the pons, in the transverse pontine fibers, in the superior and middle cerebellar peduncle, and in the hemispheric cerebellar white matter.RESULTS: With respect to controls, the ADC was significantly elevated in the middle cerebellar peduncle and in hemispheric white matter in SCA1, and in all regions under consideration in SCA2. It was significantly higher in SCA2 than in SCA1 in all regions under consideration. With respect to controls, the FA was significantly reduced in all regions under consideration in SCA1 and in SCA2. It was significantly lower in SCA2 than in SCA1 in the transverse pontine fibers and in the corticospinal tract at the level of the cerebral peduncle. Correlations with clinical scores were found.CONCLUSIONS: DTI did not enable differentiation between SCA1 and SCA2. However, strongly significant differences between the 2 subtypes and with respect to controls and correlations with clinical scores were found.