Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) Study in Parkinsons Disease Identifies Focal Microstructural Abnormality

Martyn Ezra¹, V Gontu², Maryam Abaei¹, Paul S. Morgan¹, Nin Bajaj², Dorothee P. Auer¹

This study aimed to investigate microstructural abnormalities in Patients with Parkinsons Disease (PwPD). Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis was performed on Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data for 26 PwPD and 16 matched controls. We demonstrated focal reduction in Fractional Anisotrophy in the Postural Instability Gait Difficulty (PIGD) subgroup in the left temporo-parietal white matter (WM). Posthoc region of interest (ROI) analysis confirmed a subgroup concordance. Location & subgroup concordance point towards an association with cognitive symptoms in PwPD.