MRI of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation

This article details the contribution of MRI in the diagnosis by summarizing and comparing MRI patterns of the various NBIA subtypes. Recent findings MRI almost always shows characteristic changes combining iron accumulation and additional neuroimaging abnormalities. Iron-sensitive MRI shows iron deposition in the basal ganglia, particularly in bilateral globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Other regions may be affected depending on the NBIA subtypes including the cerebellum and dentate nucleus, the midbrain, the striatum, the thalamus, and the cortex. Atrophy of the cerebellum, brainstem, corpus callosum and cortex, and white matter changes may be associated and worsen with disease duration. Iron deposition can be quantified using R2∗ or quantitative susceptibility mapping. Summary Recent MRI advances allow depicting differences between the various subtypes of NBIA, providing a useful analytical framework for clinicians. Standardization of protocols for image acquisition and analysis may help improving the detection of imaging changes associated with NBIA and the quantification of iron deposition.
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - Category: Neurology Tags: NEUROIMAGING: Edited by Stéphane Lehéricy Source Type: research