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BackgroundAutonomic dysfunction (AD) is one of the non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Some symptoms tend to occur in the early stages of PD. AD also has a great impact on patient’s quality of life. In this study, we aimed to discover the association between AD (Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s disease-Autonomic, SCOPA-AUT) and microstructural changes in white matter tracts in drug-naïve early PD patients to elucidate the central effects of autonomic nervous system impairments.MethodIn total, this study included 85 subjects with PD recruited from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database. Among the 85 PD patients, 38 were in Hoehn & Yahr stage 1 (HY1PD) and 47 were in stage 2 (HY2PD). Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI) data were reconstructed in the MNI space using q-space diffeomorphic reconstruction to obtain the spin distribution function. The spin distribution function (SDF) values were used in DMRI connectometry analysis. We investigated through diffusion MRI connectometry the structural correlates of white matter tracts with SCOPA-AUT subscores and total score.ResultsConnectometry analysis also revealed positive association with white matter density in bilateral corticospinal tract in HY1PD patients and negative association in genu of corpus callosum (CC) and, bilateral cingulum in both groups. In addition, there were associations between gastrointestinal, sexual, thermoregulatory and urinary items and structural brain connectivity in PD.ConclusionOur study reveals positive correlation, suggesting neural compensations in early PD. Cingulum and CC tracts have well-known roles in PD pathology, compatible with our findings that bring new insights to specific areas of AD and its role in central nervous system (CNS) neurodegeneration, paving the way for using prodromal makers in the diagnosis and treatment of PD.

Background Morphea is an inflammatory disease of the connective tissue that may lead to thickening and hardening of the skin due to fibrosis. The aim of this study was to document magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in patients with linear morphea who were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and high-dose corticosteroid. Methods This study was conducted on 33 patients from the outpatient's dermatology clinic of our institute, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients received 15 mg/week of MTX and monthly pulses of methylprednisolone for three days in six months. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by MRI, modified LS skin severity index (mLoSSI), and localized scleroderma damage index (LoSDI). Results All parameters of mLoSSI and LoSDI including erythema, skin thickness, new lesion/lesion extension, dermal atrophy, subcutaneous atrophy, and dyspigmentation were also noticeably improved after treatment. Subcutaneous fat enhancement was the most common finding in MRI. MRI scores were significantly associated with clinical markers both before and after the treatment with the exception of skin thickness and new lesion/lesion extension which were not associated with MRI scores before and after the treatment, respectively. Limitations The lack of correlative laboratory disease activity markers, control group, and clearly defined criteria to judge the MRI changes. Conclusion MRI could be a promising tool for the assessment of musculoskeletal and dermal involvement and also monitoring treatment response in patients with morphea.

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