Abstract #4069

MRI Characterization of Secondary Degeneration in Ipsilateral Substantia Nigra Following Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Shujuan J. Fan^1,2, Frank Yik Hin Lee^1,2, Matthew Man Hin Cheung^1,2, April Mei Kwan Chow^1,2, Zhongwei W. Qiao^1,2, Kevin Chuen Wing Chan^1,2, Ed X. Wu^1,2

¹Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging & Signal Processing, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, People's Republic of; ²Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, People's Republic of

Secondary neurodegeneration in substantia nigra (SN) has been commonly observed in ischemic strokes. However, little is known about such degeneration in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In this study, multi-parametric MRI was employed to characterize the evolution of such injuries and understand the underlying pathological changes. The injury was first detected by DTI at day 1 after ICH, and was characterized by dramatic diffusivity decrease, elevated T2 relaxation times at day 3, and gradually increased T1W signal intensities. These results suggested that DTI could be utilized for early diagnosis for secondary SN injury, which would be long-lasting and progressive and worth attention.