Journal Article

DZNE-2022-01602

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Detection of spinal long fiber tract degeneration in HSP: Improved diffusion tensor imaging.

Lindig, T.Extern* ; Ruff, C. ; Rattay, T. W.DZNE* ; König, S. ; Schöls, L.DZNE* ; Schüle, R.DZNE* ; Nägele, T. ; Ernemann, U. ; Klose, U. ; Bender, B.Extern*

2022
Elsevier [Amsterdam u.a.]

This record in other databases:  

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103213

Abstract: Spinal diffusion tensor imaging (sDTI) is still a challenging technique for selectively evaluating anatomical areas like the pyramidal tracts (PT), dorsal columns (DC), and anterior horns (AH) in clinical routine and for reliably quantifying white matter anisotropy and diffusivity. In neurodegenerative diseases, the value of sDTI is promising but not yet well understood. The objective of this prospective, single-center study was to evaluate the long fiber tract degeneration within the spinal cord in normal aging (n = 125) and to prove its applicability in pathologic conditions as in patients with molecular genetically confirmed hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP; n = 40), a prototypical disease of the first motor neuron and in some genetic variants with affection of the dorsal columns. An optimized monopolar Stejskal-Tanner sequence for high-resolution, axial sDTI of the cervical spinal cord at 3.0 T with advanced standardized evaluation methods was developed for a robust DTI value estimation of PT, DC, and AH in both groups. After sDTI measurement at C2, an automatic motion correction and an advanced semi-automatic ROI-based, standardized evaluation of white matter anisotropy and diffusivity was performed to obtain regional diffusivity measures for PT, DC, and AH. Reliable and stable sDTI values were acquired in a healthy population without significant decline between age 20 and 65. Reference values for PT, DC, and AH for fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were established. In HSP patients, the decline of the long spinal fiber tracts could be demonstrated by diffusivity abnormalities in the pyramidal tracts with significantly reduced PTFA (p < 0.001), elevated PTRD (p = 0.002) and reduced PTMD (p = 0.003) compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, FA was significantly reduced in DCFA (p < 0.001) with no differences in AH. In a genetically homogeneous subgroup of SPG4 patients (n = 12) with affection of the dorsal columns, DCRD significantly correlated with the overall disease severity as measured by the Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS) (r = - 0.713, p = 0.009). With the most extensive sDTI study in vivo to date, we showed that axial sDTI combined with motion correction and advanced data post-processing strategies enables robust measurements and is ready to use, allowing recognition and quantification of disease- and age-related changes of the PT, DC, and AH. These results may also encourage the usage of sDTI in other neurodegenerative diseases with spinal cord involvement to explore its capability as selective biomarkers.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Young Adult (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging: methods (MeSH) ; Prospective Studies (MeSH) ; White Matter: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; White Matter: pathology (MeSH) ; Anisotropy (MeSH) ; Pyramidal Tracts: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Fractional anisotropy ; Hereditary spastic paraplegia ; Pyramidal degeneration ; Radial diffusivity ; Spinal diffusion tensor imaging

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Core ICRU (Core ICRU)
2. Parkinson Genetics (AG Gasser 1)
3. Functional Neurogeriatrics (AG Maetzler)

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

Appears in the scientific report 2022

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---

---

Linked articles:

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Journal Article (Erratum/Correction) Lindig, T. ; Ruff, C. ; Rattay, T. W.DZNE* ; König, S. ; Schöls, L.DZNE* ; Schüle, R.DZNE* ; Nägele, T. ; Ernemann, U. ; Klose, U. ; Bender, B.
Corrigendum to 'Detection of spinal long fiber tract degeneration in HSP: Improved diffusion tensor imaging' [NeuroImage Clin. 36 (2022) 103213].
NeuroImage: Clinical 46, 103777 (2025) [10.1016/j.nicl.2025.103777]2025   Files BibTeX | EndNote: XML, Text | RIS

---