Tomohiro Suzuki MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Masahiro Ida MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Recent reports have indicated that neuromelanin MR imaging (NMI) at 3T can visualize and detect the pathological change of the substantia nigra (SN) and locus ceruleus (LC) in Parkinson’s disease. It has been reported high-resolution, fast spin-echo T1-weighted images obtained at 3 tesla can depict neuromelanin-generated signal in the dopaminergic neurons of SN. Here we present nine patients with juvenile Parkinson’s disease(JPD) in whom NMI provided useful findings to diagnose.

Neuromelanin MR images (2D fast spin-echo; TE/TR, 10/600 msec; echo train length, 2; FOV, 220 mm; base matrix, 512; 2.5mm slice thickness; number of acquisition, 5mm; acquisition time, 7min 51sec) were obtained using 3T MR system (MAGNETOM Trio A Tim, Siemens) from nine patients with JPD(32-62 year-old).We investigated neuromelanin-genetated signal intensity of SN(SSN) comparering with that of medial portion of temporal lobe(SMT) and signal intensity of LC(SLC) comparing with that of cerebellar vermis(SCV) in visual.

Nine patients with JPD (35-62 year-old) underwent 3 tesla MR in our institution. We investigated neuromelanin-generated singal obtained by 3-tesla MR imaging.Both dopeminergic MIBG scintigraphy and MRI were performed in eight patients (88.9%). NMI at 3 tesla showed depression of neuromelanin in SN and/or LC in eight patients (88.9%). In a case of no depletion of MIBG uptake was detected, NMI at 3 tesla showed depression of neuromelanin in SN and locus ceruleus. Heterozygosity of PARK2 gene was detected, which was also consistent with JPD.

Neuromelanin imaging is capable of depicting the signal altertation of th SN and LC which indicate the reduction of NM-containig dopaminergic neurons in JPD,and depicted before depletion of MIBG uptake occurs in a patient with PARK2 gene. NMI can be helpuful indicator of JPD.

NMI can be used for early diagnosis and helpuful indicator of JPD.

Suzuki, T, Ida, M, Neuromelanin MR Imaging in Juvenile Parkinsons Disease at 3 Tesla.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11010393.html