PHILADELPHIA—The midportion of the nigra may be significantly different on fractional anisotropic
analysis in patients with Parkinson’s disease, compared
with controls, according to research presented at the
66th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. Fractional anisotropic analysis may also reveal
differences between controls and patients with REM
sleep behavior disorder, who are at increased risk of
developing Parkinson’s disease.
Investigators are seeking a biomarker for the early
detection of Parkinson’s disease because diagnosis occurs too late for neurologists to intervene effectively
with neuroprotective or neurorestorative strategies, said
Matthew Brodsky, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology
at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.
Patients with REM sleep behavior disorder are a valuable
cohort to consider because the onset of this disorder
typically predates the onset of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease by a decade or more, he added.
“Our hypothesis was that fractional anisotropic analysis of the posterior lateral portion of the nigra pars
compacta would be reduced in patients with Parkinson’s
disease, and that a smell identification test and this imaging finding might be reduced in a subset of patients
with REM sleep behavior disorder who ultimately develop Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Brodsky.
Comparing Three Patient Groups
To test their hypothesis, Dr. Brodsky and colleagues recruited patients with REM sleep behavior disorder and
age-matched healthy controls from the community. The
researchers also enrolled patients with Parkinson’s disease who presented to their clinic in Portland. REM sleep
Could Fractional Anisotropy
Reveal Premotor Parkinson’s Disease?
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