The loss of hyperintense signals of the nigrosome-1 region within the substantia nigra on T2*w MRI has previously been investigated as a potential biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although the radiological observation is expected to be induced by microstructural changes, which can provide more insights into the mechanisms of PD, no relevant MRI studies have been conducted so far. With ultra-high-field 7T MRI, we compared the microstructural features of the nigrosome-1 regions between healthy and PD subjects using quantitative MRI, and revealed alterations in T1, R2*, mode of anisotropy, and fractional anisotropy within this subregion due to the disease.
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