Correlation between Evaluation Methods of Short-time Neuromelanin MRI and SBR by Dopamine Transporter Scintigraphy

Abstract

Purpose: To verify the usefulness of three evaluation methods of short-time neuromelanin MRI, correlations between each method and the specific binding ratio (SBR) of dopamine transporter scintigraphy were investigated. Methods: Short-time neuromelanin MRI was used to measure the contents of melanin-containing cells in the midbrain substantia nigra based on the following methods. Method 1 evaluates the volume of the high-signal area of the midbrain substantia nigra. Method 2 evaluates the signal intensity ratio of the three dense areas of the midbrain substantia nigra. Method 3 evaluates the scoring of the data of Method 2. The subjects were 54 patients aged 60 years or older who underwent head MRI and DAT scan at the Department of Radiology of our hospital. Results: Significant correlations were found between the data of SBR and each of the three evaluation methods. Conclusion: All of our three methods to evaluate short-time neuromelanin MRI were considered to be useful in estimating the content of melanin-containing cells in the midbrain substantia nigra, showing the most effectiveness in Method 1.