Zhu S, Wang Y, Jiang Y, Gu R, Zhong M, Jiang X, Shen B, Zhu J, Yan J, Pan Y, Zhang L. Clinical Features in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Hyperechogenicity in Substantia Nigra: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022;
18:1593-1601. [PMID:
35942277 PMCID:
PMC9356622 DOI:
10.2147/ndt.s374370]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Transcranial ultrasound (TCS) can be used to reveal structural changes in the substantia nigra (SN) and is a potential tool for the early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to explore the relationship between substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (SNH) and the clinical features of PD patients.
METHODS
A total of 96 PD patients were included in our study. All patients were detected by TCS and divided into two groups: PD patients with SNH (PDSN+) and those with normal SN echogenicity (PDSN-). The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn & Yahr stage were used to assess the extent of disease-related disability of the PD patients. Non-motor symptoms were evaluated by using several scales. The instrumented stand and walk test was performed on all subjects, and gait data were gathered using a JiBuEn gait analysis system.
RESULTS
Seventy-five PD patients were successfully assessed by TCS. We found that SNH was associated with a higher UPDRS II scores (p = 0.028). In addition, compared with PDSN- group, the PDSN+ group exhibited more severe gait impairment, including increased variability in stride length (p = 0.042), decreased heel strike angle (p = 0.017), decreased range of motion of hip joints (p = 0.031), and a more asymmetrical walking pattern (p = 0.028).
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrated that SNH significantly correlated with activities of daily living and gait impairment in Chinese patients with PD, suggesting the formation of SNH might be a dynamic biomarker reflecting disease severity.
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