Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity correlates with subtle motor dysfunction in tap dancers.

Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) detected by transcranial sonography is a typical finding in more than 90% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) but may also be visible in about 9% of healthy adults. In this study, we found a correlation between SN hyperechogenicity and subtle motor dysfunction in otherwise healthy young tap dancers. In accordance with former findings, results of the present study confirm the hypothesis that SN hyperechogenicity is a marker for a possible functional impairment of the nigrostriatal system, that may become evident under challenging conditions.