Corticospinal tract involvement in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: a diffusion tensor imaging study

• Published in: Neuroradiology Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 217 - 224
• Main Authors: Inada, Bruno Shigueo Yonekura, Rezende, Thiago Junqueira Ribeiro, Pereira, Fernando Vieira, Garcia, Lucas Ávila Lessa, da Rocha, Antônio José, Neto, Pedro Braga, Barsottini, Orlando Graziani Povoas, França Jr, Marcondes Cavalcante, Pedroso, José Luiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.02.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Ataxia; Correlation coefficient; Correlation coefficients; Damage; Diffusivity; Functional Neuroradiology; Imaging; Machado-Joseph disease; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mathematical analysis; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; Parameters; Pyramidal tracts; Radiology; Tensors; Retrograde degeneration; Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3; Corticospinal tract; Machado-Joseph disease; Cerebellar ataxia; Diffusion tensor imaging
• ISSN: 0028-3940; 1432-1920; 1432-1920
• DOI: 10.1007/s00234-020-02528-3

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the integrity of the corticospinal tracts (CST) in patients with SCA3 and age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We also looked at the clinical correlates of such diffusivity abnormalities. Methods We assessed 2 cohorts from different Brazilian centers: cohort 1 ( n = 29) scanned in a 1.5 T magnet and cohort 2 ( n = 91) scanned in a 3.0 T magnet. We used Pearson’s coefficients to assess the correlation of CST DTI parameters and ataxia severity (expressed by SARA scores). Results Two different results were obtained. Cohort 1 showed no significant between-group differences in DTI parameters. Cohort 2 showed significant between-group differences in the FA values in the bilateral precentral gyri ( p < 0.001), bilateral superior corona radiata ( p < 0.001), bilateral posterior limb of the internal capsule ( p < 0.001), bilateral cerebral peduncle ( p < 0.001), and bilateral basis pontis ( p < 0.001). There was moderate correlation between CST diffusivity parameters and SARA scores in cohort 2 (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.40–0.59). Conclusion DTI particularly at 3 T is able to uncover and quantify CST damage in SCA3. Moreover, CST microstructural damage may contribute with ataxia severity in the disease.