Main inherited neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxias, how to recognize them using magnetic resonance imaging?

• Published in: Journal of neuroradiology Vol. 45; no. 5; pp. 265 - 275
• Main Authors: Heidelberg, D., Ronsin, S., Bonneville, F., Hannoun, S., Tilikete, C., Cotton, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France Elsevier Masson SAS 01.09.2018; Elsevier Masson
• Subjects: Atrophy; Bioengineering; Cerebellar Ataxia - diagnostic imaging; Cerebellar Ataxia - genetics; Dentate nuclei; Humans; Imaging; Inherited autosomal cerebellar ataxia; Life Sciences; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Phenotype; Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI); AOA1; AOA2; SCA6; SCA3; SWI; MRI; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); FRDA; AVED; Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI); Dentate nuclei; Atrophy; Inherited autosomal cerebellar ataxia; AT; FXTAS; FLAIR; ARSACS
• ISSN: 0150-9861
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2018.05.005

Ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease resulting from brainstem, cerebellar, and/or spinocerebellar tracts impairments. Symptoms onset could vary widely from childhood to late-adulthood. Autosomal cerebellar ataxias are considered as one of the most complex group in neurogenetics. In addition to their genetic heterogeneity, there is an important phenotypic variability in the expression of cerebellar impairment, complicating the genetic mutation research. A pattern recognition approach using brain MRI measures of atrophy, hyperintensities and iron-induced hypointensity of the dentate nuclei, could be therefore helpful in guiding genetic research. This review will discuss a pattern recognition approach that, associated with the age at disease onset, and clinical manifestations, may help neuroradiologists differentiate the most frequent profiles of ataxia.