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Spatial correlation and segregation of multimodal MRI abnormalities in multiple system atrophy

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Abstract

Objective

The variability of the severity and regional distribution of pathological process in basal ganglia (BG) and brainstem–cerebellar systems results in clinical heterogeneity and represents the motor subtype of multiple system atrophy (MSA). This study aimed to quantify spatial patterns of multimodal MRI abnormalities in BG and stem-CB regions and define structural MRI findings that correlate with clinical characteristics.

Methods

We simultaneously measured R2*, mean diffusivity (MD), and volume in the subcortical structures (BG, thalamus, brainstem–cerebellar regions) of 39 probable MSA and 22 control subjects. Principal component analysis (PCA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to show a model consisting of multiple inter-dependencies.

Results

Structural MRI alterations were found to be significantly interrelated within BG as well as brainstem–cerebellar regions in MSA patients. PCA extracted four factors: three factors reflected alterations in R2*, MD and volume of the BG region including the caudate nucleus, putamen, and pallidum, and the remaining one factor represented degenerative changes in MD and volume of stem-CB region. In SEM, a latent variable reflecting brainstem–cerebellar degeneration did not show a significant correlation with the other latent variables associated with BG degeneration. Putaminal MD values and a PCA-driven factor reflecting MD values in the BG showed a significant correlation with UPDRS and UMSARS scores.

Conclusion

Multimodal structural MRI abnormalities in MSA appear to be segregated into BG and stem-CB-related factors that can be associated with the clinical phenotype and motor severity.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2014R1A1A2059252), and by the Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital (2016). The sponsor’s role was confined to financial support. The sponsor was not involved in the design, methods, subject recruitment, data collection, analysis, or preparation of the report. In addition, we are grateful to the Pusan National University Hospital Clinical Trial Center Biostatistics Office for their assistance with statistical analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Busan, Republic of Korea

    Myung Jun Lee & Hae Kyung Shin

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea

    Tae-Hyung Kim & Chi-Woong Mun

  3. Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jongsang Son

  4. Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jongsang Son

  5. Department of Neurology, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Beomo-ri, Mulgum-eup, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, 626-770, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Hyeok Lee

  6. Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Hyeok Lee

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  1. Myung Jun Lee
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Correspondence to Jae-Hyeok Lee.

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The present study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Yangsan Pusan National Univeristy Hospital, in accordance with the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration.

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The written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

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Lee, M.J., Kim, TH., Mun, CW. et al. Spatial correlation and segregation of multimodal MRI abnormalities in multiple system atrophy. J Neurol 265, 1540–1547 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8874-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8874-z

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