Serial neuromelanin MRI detects progression of depigmentation over 6 months in early Parkinson’s

Motivation: The potential of neuromelanin-MRI in tracking disease progression is underexplored. Goal(s): We investigated the detectability of changes of contrast in substructures of the substantia nigra over 6 months. Approach: We compared changes of contrast between healthy controls and subjects with early PD. Results: Depigmentation progresses over 6 months in early PD, but not in healthy controls, advancing the use of neuromelanin-MRI as a potential marker of PD. Impact: Our study addresses the knowledge gap of neuromelanin-MRI as a potential progression marker of early PD, which will be particularly helpful in the context of future disease-modifying trials.