Synopsis

The use of imaging biomarkers holds promise to differentiate Parkinson’s Disease (PD) from other movement disorders and healthy controls. Both animal models and human studies have shown that neuromelanin (NM) is depleted for PD patients while iron content concurrently increases. One method to look for NM depletion is the loss of the nigrosome-1 (N1) sign. A new multi-contrast, rapid imaging protocol referred to as STAGE (strategically acquired gradient echo) imaging combined with magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) can image the N1 sign as well as NM and iron simultaneously with optimal contrast in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus.