Abnormal signals on proton density-weighted MRI of the superior cerebellarpeduncle in progressive supranuclear palsy

Objective - To assess MRI signal abnormalities of the superior cerebellar p eduncle (SCP) in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients. Material an d Methods - Signal changes were examined on proton density-weighted images (PDWI) and on T-2-weighted images (T2WI) of SCP in 9 PSP patients, and find ings were compared to those in 20 Parkinson's disease patients and 20 age-m atched control subjects. Results - We observed effacement or lack of clarit y of the low signal on PDWI in SCP in 4 of 9 PSP patients, but not in any o f the Parkinson's disease patients or control subjects. These signal change s were not observed on T2WI. Conclusions - The signal changes on PDWI may b e a specific finding reflecting demyelination and gliosis of SCP in PSP. Ou r findings suggest that evaluation of SCP on PDWI may be helpful in the dia gnosis of PSP patients.