ROI-based morphometry brain neuroimaging reveals grey and white matter abnormalities in type 2 and 3 juvenile SMA patients

The study investigated brain structure changes in type 2 and 3 SMA patients and their correlation with the severity of clinical symptoms. MRI examinations were performed on 3.0T MRI scanner and 3D T1W data were analyzed using FreeSurfer. The result showed SMA patients had extensive, multifocal, symmetrical gray white matter degeneration. The postcentral gyrus is strongly associated with symptom severity in SMA patients. It might be explained by the fact that motor neurons exhibit functional alterations, leading to selective motor neuron loss. So it is crucial for brain development and cognitive development if we intervene in SMA disease in an early stage.