S. Pietracupa, A. Ojha, D. Belvisi, C. Piervincenzi, S. Tommasin, N. Petsas, M. I. De Bartolo, M. Costanzo, A. Fabbrini, A. Conte, A. Berardelli, P. Pantano
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the cerebellum may have a role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Hence, the scope of this study was to investigate whether there are structural and functional alterations of the cerebellum and whether they correlate with motor and non-motor symptoms in early PD patients. Seventy-six patients with early PD and thirty-one age and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled and underwent a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. The following MRI analyses were performed: (1) volumes of 5 cerebellar regions of interest (sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum, dentate, interposed, and fastigial nuclei); (2) microstructural integrity of the cerebellar white matter connections (inferior, middle, and superior cerebellar peduncles); (3) functional connectivity at rest of the 5 regions of interest already described in point 1 with the rest of brain. Compared to controls, early PD patients showed a significant decrease in gray matter volume of the dentate, interposed and fastigial nuclei, bilaterally. They also showed abnormal, bilateral white matter microstructural integrity in all 3 cerebellar peduncles. Functional connectivity of the 5 cerebellar regions of interest with several areas in the midbrain, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex was altered. Finally, there was a positive correlation between abnormal functional connectivity of the fastigial nucleus with the volume of the nucleus itself and a negative correlation with axial symptoms severity. Our results showed that structural and functional alterations of the cerebellum are present in PD patients and these changes contribute to the pathophysiology of PD in the early phase.
期刊介绍:
npj Parkinson's Disease is a comprehensive open access journal that covers a wide range of research areas related to Parkinson's disease. It publishes original studies in basic science, translational research, and clinical investigations. The journal is dedicated to advancing our understanding of Parkinson's disease by exploring various aspects such as anatomy, etiology, genetics, cellular and molecular physiology, neurophysiology, epidemiology, and therapeutic development. By providing free and immediate access to the scientific and Parkinson's disease community, npj Parkinson's Disease promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers and healthcare professionals.