Regional white matter change in pre-symptomatic Huntington's disease: A diffusion tensor imaging study

Sarah A.J. Reading, Michael A. Yassa, Arnold Bakker, Adam C. Dziorny, Lisa M. Gourley, Venu Yallapragada, Adam Rosenblatt, Russell L. Margolis, Elizabeth H. Aylward, Jason Brandt, Susumu Mori, Peter Van Zijl, Susan S. Bassett, Christopher A. Ross

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

The pathology of Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by diffuse brain atrophy, with the most substantial neuronal loss occurring in the caudate and putamen. Recent evidence suggests that there may be more widespread neuronal degeneration with significant involvement of extrastriate structures, including white matter. In this study of pre-symptomatic carriers of the HD genetic mutation, we have used diffusion tensor imaging to examine the integrity and organization of white matter in a group of individuals who previously demonstrated abnormalities in response to a functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm. Our results indicate that, before the onset of manifest HD, there are regional decreases in fractional anisotropy, indicating early white matter disorganization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-62
Number of pages8
JournalPsychiatry Research - Neuroimaging
Volume140
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 30 2005

Keywords

  • Diffusion tensor imaging
  • Fractional anisotropy
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Neuroimaging
  • Neuronal degeneration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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