Correlation between gait disorders and diffusion tensor imaging parameters in elderly patients with leukoaraiosis
10.3969/j.issn.1009-0126.2025.10.003
- VernacularTitle:老年脑白质疏松患者步态障碍与弥散张量成像的相关性分析
- Author:
Canmin ZHU
1
;
Dili WANG
1
;
Chang CHANG
1
;
Weizhi LUO
1
;
Xi XU
1
;
Qiangjian JIN
1
;
Yang FANG
1
;
Ting YANG
1
Author Information
1. 430200 武汉市江夏区第一人民医院神经内科
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
leukoaraiosis;
gait disorders,neurologic;
diffusion tensor imaging;
anisotropy
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases
2025;27(10):1298-1303
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the correlation between gait disorders and alterations in diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)parameters in different regions of interest(ROI)and associated white matter tracts in older patients with leukoaraiosis(LA).Methods A total of 108 elderly LA patients admitted in our department from July 2023 to May 2024 were enrolled,and based on the Fazekas scale,they were divided into normal(n=28),moderate(n=48),and severe groups(n=32).Tinetti Gait Scale(TGS)was used to evaluate the morbility and balance function,and Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB)was employed to assess motor function.All participants underwent brain MRI and DTI scanning.Fractional anisotropy(FA)values were quantitatively measured in predefined ROIs and specific white matter tracts.Results The moderate and severe groups had significantly advanced age and higher homocysteine level,and lower total TGS score,Tinetti gait score,total SPPB score,and walking speed score than the normal group(P＜0.05).The severe group exhibited obviously lower education level,and decreased Tinetti balance score and standing score than the normal and moderate groups(P＜0.05).The FA values at the left pa-rietal lobe,the anterior horn of bilateral lateral ventricles,and the splenium of the left corpus cal-losum were notably lower,so were the FA values at the corpus callosum(left-right),left cortico-spinal tract(inferior segment),left anterior thalamic radiation(inferior segment),left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus(inferior segment),and left superior longitudinal fasciculus(inferior segment)in the moderate group and the severe group than the normal group(P＜0.05).The se-vere group demonstrated lower FA values at the left and right parietal lobes than the other two groups(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle(β=-0.683,P=0.001)and the left inferior corticospinal tract(β=-0.742,P=0.001)were influencing factors for gait disorder in elderly LA patients.Conclusion In elderly LA patients,gait disorders are correlated with decreased FA values in specific ROI and white mat-ter tracts,with the decreased FA values in the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle and the left inferior corticospinal tract demonstrating the most significant impact.
