Non-gaussian diffusion of the major intracellular metabolites is sensitive to cerebellar microstructural alterations in essential tremor.

Motivation: Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive and debilitating neurological disorder with limited understanding of its pathophysiology. Post-mortem studies indicate cerebellar microstructural changes in neuronal and glial cells. Goal(s): To provide in-vivo insights into ET-related microstructural changes in neuronal and glial cells. Approach: Diffusion-weighted MRS measured non-Gaussian diffusivities of intracellular metabolites in ET patients and healthy volunteers. Volumes of interest were placed in the cerebellum and the posterior cingulate cortex as a control region. Results: Altered non-Gaussian diffusivities of intracellular metabolites in ET cerebellum suggest neuronal and glial microstructural changes. No changes were observed in the control region. Impact: -Feasibility of in-vivo investigation of microstructural changes associated with cerebellar atrophy in patients with essential tremor.-Feasibility of using DW-MRS in clinical settings to measure non-Gaussian diffusivities of metabolites and provide insights into secondary neuronal structures.