Altered amide in substantia nigra is concordant with motor asymmetry in Parkinson's disease: a multipool CEST study

Motivation: The pathophysiological changes associated with motor asymmetry within midbrain nucleus in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) remains unclear. Goal(s): We aimed to explore the mesencephalic change by using four-pool model-based chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) analysis in asymmetrical PD. Approach: The difference of four-pool model-based CEST parameters in more and less affected side of mesencephalic region were compared, and its associations with motor asymmetry were estimated. Results: Our data revealed the inherent asymmetry on nigral amide and relayed nuclear Overhauser effect (rNOE) in asymmetric PD patients, and the substantial consistency between imaging laterality of nigral amide and motor laterality in significant asymmetrical PD. Impact: Our findings could benefit a better understanding of the mechanisms contributing to the asymmetry of PD and provide promising no-invasive neuroimaging biomarkers related to lateralization in PD.