Carlos R Hernandez-Castillo1, Israel Vaca-Palomares2, Víctor Galvez3, Aurelio Campos-Romo4, Rosalinda Diaz2, Juan Fernandez-Ruiz2. 1. 1Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - Cátedras - Instituto de Neuroetología,Universidad Veracruzana,México. 2. 2Laboratorio de Neuropsicología,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,México. 3. 3Posgrado en Neuroetologia,Universidad Veracruzana,México. 4. 4Unidad Periférica de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina,Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suarez",México.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cognitive and white matter deterioration in a group of participants with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). METHODS: Fourteen genetically confirmed participants with SCA2 and 14 aged-matched controls participated in the study. Diffusion tensor imaging tract-based spatial statistics were performed to analyze structural white matter integrity. Significant group differences in the mean diffusivity were correlated with SCA2 cognitive deficits. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed higher mean diffusivity in the SCA2 group in cerebellar white matter, medial lemniscus, and middle cerebellar peduncle, among other regions. Cognitive scores correlated with white matter mean diffusivity in the parahippocampal area, inferior frontal and supramarginal gyri and the stria terminalis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show significant correlations between white matter microstructural damage in key areas affected in SCA2 and cognitive deficits. These findings result in a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of the neurodegenerative process in people with SCA2.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cognitive and white matter deterioration in a group of participants with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). METHODS: Fourteen genetically confirmed participants with SCA2 and 14 aged-matched controls participated in the study. Diffusion tensor imaging tract-based spatial statistics were performed to analyze structural white matter integrity. Significant group differences in the mean diffusivity were correlated with SCA2 cognitive deficits. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed higher mean diffusivity in the SCA2 group in cerebellar white matter, medial lemniscus, and middle cerebellar peduncle, among other regions. Cognitive scores correlated with white matter mean diffusivity in the parahippocampal area, inferior frontal and supramarginal gyri and the stria terminalis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show significant correlations between white matter microstructural damage in key areas affected in SCA2 and cognitive deficits. These findings result in a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of the neurodegenerative process in people with SCA2.
Authors: Mario Mascalchi; Chiara Marzi; Marco Giannelli; Stefano Ciulli; Andrea Bianchi; Andrea Ginestroni; Carlo Tessa; Emanuele Nicolai; Marco Aiello; Elena Salvatore; Andrea Soricelli; Stefano Diciotti Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-07-12 Impact factor: 3.240