Application of Diffusion Tensor Image in Diagnosis of Vascular Parkinsonism / 中国医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the pathogenesis of lower limb motor disorder in vascular parkinsonism(VP)using diffusion tensor image(DTI). Methods A case?control study was performed in a cohort of 16 VP patients and 32 PD patients. Patients were all recruited from the first affiliated hospital of China Medical University from Dec. 2011 to Dec. 2012. The lower limb motor function of those patients was assessed using measurement scales. All patients received magnetic resonance image(MRI)and diffusion tensor image(DTI). Results Patients in VP group showed more seri?ous movement disorders such as freezing of gait(gait ignition failure)than these in PD group,and the movement disorders of their lower limbs prog?ress more rapidly in VP group than the PD group. Movement disorders of their lower limbs in VP group were related to fibers in bilateral frontal lobes (P=0.008). Movement disorder of their lower limbs in PD group were related to fibers in substantia nigra(P=0.030). There are statistically signifi?cant differences in both the FA values of substantia nigra,bilateral frontal lobes and the ADC values of frontal lobes,and the pars compacta and pars reticulata of substantia nigra between these two groups(all P<0.05). Conclusion Movement disorders of bilateral lower limbs are more seriously manifested in VP patients than in PD patients. The onset movement dysfunction of bilateral lower limbs is closely related to fibers in the frontal lobe.