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 T 2 -weighted images (T 2 WI) 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 T 2 WI. 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.