Cerebellar, Not Nigrostriatal Degeneration Impairs Dexterity in Multiple System Atrophy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) clinically manifests with either predominant nigrostriatal or cerebellopontine degeneration. This corresponds to two different phenotypes, one with predominant Parkinson's symptoms (MSA-P [multiple system atrophy-parkinsonian subtype]) and one with predominant cerebellar deficits (MSA-C [multiple system atrophy-cerebellar subtype]). Both nigrostriatal and cerebellar degeneration can lead to impaired dexterity, which is a frequent cause of disability in MSA.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim was to disentangle the contribution of nigrostriatal and cerebellar degeneration to impaired dexterity in both subtypes of MSA.

METHODS:

We thus investigated nigrostriatal and cerebellopontine integrity using diffusion microstructure imaging in 47 patients with MSA-P and 17 patients with MSA-C compared to 31 healthy controls (HC). Dexterity was assessed using the 9-Hole Peg Board (9HPB) performance.

RESULTS:

Nigrostriatal degeneration, represented by the loss of cells and neurites, leading to a larger free-fluid compartment, was present in MSA-P and MSA-C when compared to HCs. Whereas no intergroup differences were observed between the MSAs in the substantia nigra, MSA-P showed more pronounced putaminal degeneration than MSA-C. In contrast, a cerebellopontine axonal degeneration was observed in MSA-P and MSA-C, with stronger effects in MSA-C. Interestingly, the degeneration of cerebellopontine fibers is associated with impaired dexterity in both subtypes, whereas no association was observed with nigrostriatal degeneration.

CONCLUSION:

Cerebellar dysfunction contributes to impaired dexterity not only in MSA-C but also in MSA-P and may be a promising biomarker for disease staging. In contrast, no significant association was observed with nigrostriatal dysfunction. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

• Authors: Alexander Rau, Jonas A Hosp, Michel Rijntjes, Cornelius Weiller, Elias Kellner, Emir Berberovic, Panteleimon Oikonomou, Wolfgang H Jost, Marco Reisert, Horst Urbach, Nils Schröter
• Journal: Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society (Mov Disord) (Nov 27 2023) ISSN: 1531-8257 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 38013497 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.