Microstructural Abnormalities of the Dentatorubrothalamic Tract in Cervical Dystonia. Issue 9 (28th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sondergaard, Rachel E.; Rockel, Conrad P.; Cortese, Filomeno; Jasaui, Yamile; Pringsheim, Tamara M.; Sarna, Justyna R.; Monchi, Oury; Sadikot, Abbas F.; Pike, Bruce G.; Martino, Davide
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders. Volume 36:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 2192
• Page End: 2198
• Publication Date: 2021-05-28
• Subjects: diffusion tractography -- cervical dystonia -- dentatorubrothalamic tract; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.28649
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3185

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) remains understudied in idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD), despite evidence that the pathway is relevant in the pathophysiology of the disorder. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the DRTT in patients with CD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)–based tractography. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging scans from 67 participants were collected to calculate diffusion tractography metrics using a binary tractography‐based DRTT template. Fractional anisotropy and diffusivity measures of left and right DRTT were computed and compared between 32 subjects with CD and 35 age‐matched healthy volunteers. Results: Fractional anisotropy of right DRTT and mean and axial diffusivity of left DRTT were significantly reduced in patients with CD. Similar abnormalities were observed in patients with focal CD and patients with CD without tremor. DTI metrics did not correlate with disease duration or severity. Conclusions: Significant reductions in DTI measures suggest microstructural abnormalities within the DRTT in CD, characterized by a tractography pattern consistent with decreased axonal integrity. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society