Comparison of the Brain Volume in Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease Tremor Using an Automated Segmentation Method.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Choi S, Kim B, Chang J, Choi K, Nam T, Kim J, Lee S, Park M, Yoon W, de Leon M
Journal	Eur Neurol
Volume	73
Issue	5-6
Pagination	303-9
Date Published	04/29/2015
ISSN	1421-9913
Keywords	Essential Tremor, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Parkinson Disease
Abstract	BACKGROUND: Essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are common neurological disorders in elderly people, and some features of ET and PD may overlap. Quantitative analysis of brain atrophy may be useful in differentiating neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study was to identify the volumetric differences of subcortical structures in patients with ET and PD tremor using an automated segmentation method. METHODS: Volumetric MRIs were obtained in 45 patients with ET, 45 patients with PD tremor, and 45 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The volume of the different brain structures was measured by the automated segmentation method (FreeSurfer). RESULTS: Volumetric data obtained with automated segmentation of cerebral regions showed a significant atrophy of the cerebellum in patients with ET. Cerebellar atrophy of ET patients was more significant in the white matter than in the grey matter, and it was noted only in patients with ET having a head tremor. No volumetric differences were found between the PD group and the control group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that volumetric differences in subcortical structures using whole brain segmentation method may help to differentiate ET from PD tremor.
DOI	10.1159/000381708
PubMed ID	25925562