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01-07-2008 | Parkinson's Disease and Allied Conditions - Original Article

Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity assessed by transcranial sonography is related to neuropsychological impairment in the elderly population

Authors: Inga Liepelt, Angela Wendt, Katherine J. Schweitzer, Bjoern Wolf, Jana Godau, Alexandra Gaenslen, Theresa Bruessel, Daniela Berg

Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission | Issue 7/2008

Abstract

Transcranial sonography (TCS) is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (SN+) in TCS has been shown to be also evident in about 8–10% of healthy persons. Neuroimaging studies and slight motor deficits in subjects with SN+ indicate functional impairment of the nigrostriatal system associated with the ultrasound sign. We questioned, whether SN+ may also be associated with neuropsychological deficits and whether there is a relation to other PD premotor markers. Thirty-six subjects with SN+ and 34 control persons (SN−) older than 50 years were investigated. The delayed verbal memory recall (LogII) of subjects with SN+ was significantly reduced compared to the performance of the control group (P = 0.02). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that, besides UPDRS-III (P < 0.001) and positive family history for PD (P < 0.01), LogII (P < 0.05) seems to be independently associated with SN+.

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Title: Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity assessed by transcranial sonography is related to neuropsychological impairment in the elderly population
Authors: Inga Liepelt
Angela Wendt
Katherine J. Schweitzer
Bjoern Wolf
Jana Godau
Alexandra Gaenslen
Theresa Bruessel
Daniela Berg
Publication date: 01-07-2008
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission / Issue 7/2008
Print ISSN: 0300-9564
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1463
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-008-0043-6

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Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity assessed by transcranial sonography is related to neuropsychological impairment in the elderly population

Abstract

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Abstract

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