Structural and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cerebellum: Considerations for Assessing Cerebellar Ataxias.

摘要: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is high interest for diagnosing and understanding degenerative ataxias. Here, we present state-of-the-art MRI methods to characterize structural alterations cerebellum introduce initial experiments show abnormalities in cerebellar nuclei. Clinically, T1-weighted MR images are used assess atrophy cortex, brainstem, spinal cord, whereas T2-weighted PD-weighted typically employed depict potential white matter lesions that may be associated with certain types More recently, attention has also focused on characterization nuclei, which discernible spatially highly resolved iron-sensitive due their relatively iron content, including T2 (*)-weighted images, susceptibility-weighted (SWI), effective transverse relaxation rate (R2 (*)) maps, quantitative susceptibility maps (QSM). Among these techniques, QSM reveals best contrast between nuclei surroundings. In particular, gyrification dentate prominently depicted, even at clinically widely available field strength 3 T. The linear relationship magnetic local content allows determination deposition non-invasively. increased signal-to-noise ratio ultrahigh-field (B0 ≥ 7 T) advances spatial normalization enable functional (fMRI) level cortex Data from fMRI studies presented three common forms hereditary ataxias (Friedreich's ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, 6). Characteristic changes signal discussed light histopathological data current knowledge underlying physiology cerebellum.