Susceptibility separation technique for assessing differences in the deep gray matter nuclei among parkinsonian disorders

Motivation: The clinically distinguish between PD, MSA and PSP is still challenging. Recently, susceptibility separation technique is proposed to hallmark myelin density and iron accumulation in the tissue. Goal(s): To assess the myelin density and iron accumulation in the deep gray matter nuclei on clinical 3T MRI for the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disorders. Approach: We assessed 30 early PD, 31 early MSA patients, 22 early PSP patients, and 31 healthy controls using susceptibility separation method. Results: We investigated the potential of iron and myelin from QSM separation method for the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disorders. Iron deposition mainly observed in the midbrain nuclei. Impact: The susceptibility separation method on QSM images delivers valuable and comprehensive insights into the iron deposition and myelin density among PD, MSA, and PSP. This may expand our understanding of susceptibility alternation in parkinsonian disorders.