Title : Exploring the link between midbrain iron accumulation and cortical lesions in parkinson’s disease
Abstract:
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual decline in both motor and cognitive functions. Affected individuals exhibit cortical lesions as well as heightened iron deposition in the midbrain, a phenomenon attributed to alterations in neuromelanin—a pigment coating dopaminergic neurons that binds with iron. Research indicates a link between white matter cortical lesions and cognitive decline in PD. While both cortical lesions and increased midbrain iron are associated with PD pathology, the connection between these features remains unclear. In this study, 10 PD patients and 10 healthy controls will undergo identical Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) and Fluid?Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) MRI scans. White matter cortical lesions will be quantified using the Fazekas scale in FLAIR scans, while mean susceptibility, reflecting iron concentration, will be measured in regions of interest (ROIs) on the QSM. A regression analysis will then be conducted to calculate Pearson’s correlation, assessing the relationship between cortical lesions and midbrain iron levels. Our hypothesis proposes that the iron levels measured with QSM are associated with the number and severity of brain lesions observed on FLAIR scans, both across the whole brain and specifically within the corticospinal tract. The anticipated results will provide insights into the mechanisms underlying lesion formation and the role of midbrain iron in this process. Furthermore, we expect to highlight how increased iron levels in the midbrain may influence other brain regions. This study aims to improve our understanding of how midbrain iron accumulation and cortical lesions interact in PD. These findings could indicate additional pathways involved in PD progression, guiding future research toward developing targeted therapies. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could bring scientists closer to discovering new treatments, and potentially a cure, for Parkinson’s Disease.
