Idiopathic Parkinson＇s disease （IPD） is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by bradykinesia, muscular rigidity, pos- tural instability and tremor. IPD is usually diagnosed based on clin...Idiopathic Parkinson＇s disease （IPD） is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by bradykinesia, muscular rigidity, pos- tural instability and tremor. IPD is usually diagnosed based on clinical findings, but diagnoses are only 75-90% accurate when compared with autopsy results. Improving diagnostic accuracy is critical for the early dif- ferentiation of IPD from other Parkinsonism-related disorders because of differences in their prognoses and treatment. Furthermore, IPD is clinically heterogeneous, with variable prognosis. Although the biological function of neuromelanin has not yet been determined, the selective vulnerability of neuromelanin-containing neurons in patients with IPD suggests a role for this pigment in neurodegeneration. Recently developed ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） systems produce Tl-weighted neuro- melanin-sensitive images with very high spatial resolution, enabling the de- piction of tissue containing neuromelanin. Here we review recent advances in neuromelanin-sensitive MRI in IPD and related conditions suggesting that neuromelanin may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for IPD.展开更多
文摘Idiopathic Parkinson＇s disease （IPD） is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by bradykinesia, muscular rigidity, pos- tural instability and tremor. IPD is usually diagnosed based on clinical findings, but diagnoses are only 75-90% accurate when compared with autopsy results. Improving diagnostic accuracy is critical for the early dif- ferentiation of IPD from other Parkinsonism-related disorders because of differences in their prognoses and treatment. Furthermore, IPD is clinically heterogeneous, with variable prognosis. Although the biological function of neuromelanin has not yet been determined, the selective vulnerability of neuromelanin-containing neurons in patients with IPD suggests a role for this pigment in neurodegeneration. Recently developed ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） systems produce Tl-weighted neuro- melanin-sensitive images with very high spatial resolution, enabling the de- piction of tissue containing neuromelanin. Here we review recent advances in neuromelanin-sensitive MRI in IPD and related conditions suggesting that neuromelanin may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for IPD.
