Enlarged hyperechogenic substantia nigra as a risk marker for Parkinson's disease

Mov Disord. 2012 Oct 31. doi: 10.1002/mds.25192. [Epub ahead of print]

Berg D, Behnke S, Seppi K, Godau J, Lerche S, Mahlknecht P, Liepelt-Scarfone I, Pausch C, Schneider N, Gaenslen A, Brockmann K, Srulijes K, Huber H, Wurster I, Stockner H, Kiechl S, Willeit J, Gasperi A, Fassbender K, Gasser T, Poewe W.

Source

Center of Neurology, Department of Neurodegeneration and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

SN hyperechogenicity (SN+), determined by transcranial sonography, has been proposed as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, we reported a 17.4-fold increased risk for PD in individuals with SN+ older than 50 years within 3 years.

METHODS:

This is the second follow-up of a prospective, longitudinal, three-center observational study after 5 years. Of the initial 1,847 at baseline PD-free participants 50 years or older, 1,271 underwent the 5-year reassessment.

RESULTS:

Within 5 years, 21 individuals developed incident PD. Participants with SN+ at baseline had a more than 20.6 times increased risk to develop PD in this time span than those without this echo feature.

CONCLUSION:

We thus confirm our finding of the 3-year follow-up examination in a longer observation time and higher number of individuals with incident PD and suggest SN+ as an important risk marker for PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society.

Posted with Blogsy