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

OBJECTIVE: To assess MRI signal abnormalities of the superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Signal changes were examined on proton density-weighted images (PDWI) and on T2-weighted images (T2WI) of SCP in 9 PSP patients, and findings were compared to those in 20 Parkinson's disease patients and 20 age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: We observed effacement or lack of clarity of the low signal on PDWI in SCP in 4 of 9 PSP patients, but not in any of the Parkinson's disease patients or control subjects. These signal changes were not observed on T2WI. CONCLUSIONS: The signal changes on PDWI may be a specific finding reflecting demyelination and gliosis of SCP in PSP. Our findings suggest that evaluation of SCP on PDWI may be helpful in the diagnosis of PSP patients.