Distribution of Diffusivity Changes in Subcortical Deep Gray Matter in Prion Diseases

Raffaele Lodi¹, David Neil Manners¹, Emil Malucelli¹, Claudia Testa¹, Giovanni Rizzo¹, Sabina Capellari², Rosaria Strammiello², Giulia Pierangeli², Pietro Cortelli², Pasquale Montagna², Bruno Barbiroli¹, Caterina Tonon¹, Piero Parchi²

Objectives. To assess the relationship between MD changes and prion disease (PD) subtypes in deep gray matter structures (DGM) . Methods. MD values were calculated in DGM in nine prion disease patients and 12 matched controls, using a completely operator-independent method. Results. MD values were reduced in the caudate and putamen of prion patients. Prion patients showed an increased variability of MD values in the basal ganglia and thalamus. Conclusions. MD values were increased in subtypes where there is little or no spongiosis, but variably reduced in basal ganglia of different sCJD sub-types all characterized by the presence of spongiosis