Neuroimaging Epicenters Using Multimodal MRI for Exploring Potential Sites of Pathogenesis in Parkinson's Disease

Motivation: Parkinson's disease (PD) is highly heterogeneous and lacks a clear definition of its neuropathological mechanisms, complicating the identification of its origins and progression. Goal(s): This study aimed to identify neuroimaging epicenters in PD and evaluate their clinical significance. Approach: We employed a network-theory approach, known as epicenter mapping, on cross-sectional multimodal MRI to identify the most likely sources of structural pathology in PD. Results: Our results indicate that multiple nuclei in the midbrain, basal ganglia, and various cortical areas of the cerebellum may serve as neuroimaging epicenters in PD, with these features closely associated with patients' clinical symptoms. Impact: We developed a reliable method for identifying the epicenter using multimodal MRI, offering new insights for exploring the disease's potential sites and their clinical relevance in PD.