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01-06-2021 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Magnetic Resonance

Magnetic resonance T1w/T2w ratio in the middle cerebellar peduncle might be a sensitive biomarker for multiple system atrophy

Authors: Atsuhiko Sugiyama, Hajime Yokota, Shigeki Hirano, Graham Cooper, Hiroki Mukai, Kyosuke Koide, Jiaqi Wang, Shoichi Ito, Carsten Finke, Alexander U Brandt, Friedemann Paul, Satoshi Kuwabara

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2021

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to investigate the use of a myelin-sensitive MRI contrast, the standardized T1-weighted/T2-weighted (sT1w/T2w) ratio, for detecting early changes in the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) in cerebellar subtype multiple system atrophy (MSA-C) patients.

Methods

We included 28 MSA-C patients, including a subset of 17 MSA-C patients within 2 years of disease onset (early MSA-C), and 28 matched healthy controls. T1w and T2w scans were acquired using a 3-T MR system. The sT1w/T2w ratio in MCP was analyzed using SPM12 by utilizing a region-of-interest approach in normalized space. The diagnostic performance of the MCP sT1w/T2w ratio in discriminating MSA-C and the subgroup of early MSA-C from the matched controls was assessed. Correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the MCP sT1w/T2w ratio and other clinical parameters including the International Cooperative Ataxia Scale (ICARS) score for quantifying cerebellar ataxia.

Results

Compared to controls, the sT1w/T2w ratio in the MCP was markedly lower in all (p < 0.001) MSA-C patients and 17 early (p < 0.001) MSA-C patients. The MCP sT1w/T2w ratio had high sensitivity (96%) and specificity (100%) to distinguish MSA-C from controls (area under the curve = 0.99), even for the early MSA-C group (area under the curve = 0.99; sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 100%). The MCP sT1w/T2w ratio correlated with the ICARS score in early MSA-C.

Conclusions

The sT1w/T2w ratio can detect MSA-C-related changes in the MCP, even in the early stages of the disorder, and could be a sensitive biomarker for MSA-C.

Key Points

• The sT1w/T2w ratio can detect MSA-C-related changes in the middle cerebellar peduncle, even in the early stages of the disorder.

• The middle cerebellar peduncle sT1w/T2w ratio correlated with a cerebellar ataxia score in early MSA-C patients.

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Title: Magnetic resonance T1w/T2w ratio in the middle cerebellar peduncle might be a sensitive biomarker for multiple system atrophy
Authors: Atsuhiko Sugiyama
Hajime Yokota
Shigeki Hirano
Graham Cooper
Hiroki Mukai
Kyosuke Koide
Jiaqi Wang
Shoichi Ito
Carsten Finke
Alexander U Brandt
Friedemann Paul
Satoshi Kuwabara
Publication date: 01-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Biomarkers
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07521-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Magnetic resonance T1w/T2w ratio in the middle cerebellar peduncle might be a sensitive biomarker for multiple system atrophy

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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