New MRI imaging technique to diagnose Parkinson’s disease

Movement disorders

13 Jul 2020

A/Prof Todd

University of South Australia researchers are aiming to adapt MRI imaging of the substantia nigra as a new method to more accurately diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

Using recent advances in MRI technology, UniSA neuroscientist Associate Professor Gabrielle Todd and radiographer Shayne Chau, and clinicians from Flinders Medical Centre, are working on a simple and more accessible imaging procedure to assist neurologists.

Associate Professor Todd says that certain types of PET and SPECT brain scans can help to assess the extent of neuronal loss in the substantia nigra, but these require patients to be injected with radiotracers.

“The significant challenges associated with manufacturing radiotracers and the high cost severely limits patient access to this technology in Australia and elsewhere,” Associate Professor Todd says.

“Due to the lack of an accurate and accessible diagnostic test for Parkinson’s disease, this results in a high rate of misdiagnosis.”

MRI imaging, however, is safe, widely available, and doesn’t require patients to be injected with radiotracers.

But using the imaging technique to examine the substantia nigra requires very experienced radiologists, with years of training, to make a judgement about whether the region is normal or not, according to Associate Professor Todd.

“Radiologists rarely see what a normal substantia nigra looks like in healthy people and we don’t currently know if the appearance of the substantia nigra changes with age or whether it differs between males and females,” she says.

Associate Professor Todd and her team aim to create an easy-to-use method to objectively measure and evaluate the substantia nigra against normative data.

Their work will improve the accuracy of MRI imaging in Parkinson’s patients and enable more centres and hospitals to perform the diagnostic procedure.

The project will involve recruiting newly diagnosed patients with Parkinson’s disease and healthy adults to undergo a brain MRI and tests of movement, memory, and cognitive function.

“Collectively, we hope to make it easier for radiologists to learn about and interpret abnormal substantia nigra MRI findings and to provide neurologists with more certainty about the patient diagnosis,” she says.

The research is being funded by proceeds from Adelaide Hills winemaker Marty Edwards from his label Silver Lining Wines, which was created after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s diagnosis.

“Being associated with a project that can provide hope, and arm clinicians with more tools to help patients, is something that I’m passionate about. Hopefully we’ll create a ‘silver lining’ for others that are starting their journey with Parkinson’s disease,” he said.

Already a member?

Login to keep reading.

OR
Email me a login link