Role of the combination of FA and T2* parameters as a new diagnostic method in therapeutic evaluation of parkinson's disease.

Background: Simple diffusion delivery (SDD) has attained good effects with only tiny amounts of drugs. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and relaxation time T2* that indicate the integrity of fiber tracts and iron concentration within brain tissue were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of SDD.

Purpose: To evaluate therapeutic effect of SDD in the Parkinson's disease (PD) rat model with FA and T2* parameters.

Study Type: Prospective case-control animal study.

Population: Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats (eight normal, eight PD, eight SDD, and eight subcutaneous injection rats).

Field Strength/sequence: Single-shot spin echo echo-planar imaging and fast low-angle shot T WI sequences at 3.0T.

Assessment: Parameters of FA and T2* on the treated side of the substantia nigra were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effect of SDD in a PD rat model.

Statistical Tests: The effects of time on FA and T2* values were analyzed by repeated measurement tests. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted, followed by individual comparisons of the mean FA and T2* values at different timepoints.

Results: The FA values on the treated side of the substantia nigra in the SDD treatment group and subcutaneous injection treatment group were significantly higher at week 1 and lower at week 6 than that of the PD control group (SDD vs. PD, week 1, adjusted P = 0.012; subcutaneous vs. PD, week 1, adjusted P < 0.001; SDD vs. PD, week 6, adjusted P = 0.004; subcutaneous vs. PD, week 6, adjusted P = 0.024). The T2* parameter in the SDD treatment group and subcutaneous injection treatment group was significantly higher than that in the PD control group at week 6 (SDD vs. PD, adjusted P = 0.032; subcutaneous vs. PD, adjusted P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion: The combination of FA and T2* parameters can potentially serve as a new effective evaluation method of the therapeutic effect of SDD.

Level Of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 4 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.