Associations among Cognitive Functions, Plasma DNA, and Diffusion Tensor Image along the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS) in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Hsiu Ling Chen, Pei Chin Chen, Cheng Hsien Lu, Nai Wen Tsai, Chiun Chieh Yu, Kun Hsien Chou, Yun Ru Lai, Toshiaki Taoka*, Wei Che Lin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease associated with accumulation of misfolding proteins and increased neuroinflammation, which may further impair the glymphatic system. The purpose of this study was to utilize diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) to evaluate glymphatic system activity and its relationship with systemic oxidative stress status in PD patients. Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological tests were conducted on 25 PD patients with normal cognition (PDN), 25 PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 38 PD patients with dementia (PDD), and 47 normal controls (NC). Oxidative stress status was assessed by plasma DNA level. Differences in ALPS-index among the subgroups were assessed and further correlated with cognitive functions and plasma DNA levels. Results. The PD-MCI and PDD groups showed significantly lower ALPS-index compared to normal controls. The ALPS-index was inversely correlated with plasma nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA levels, and cognitive scores. Conclusions. Lower diffusivity along the perivascular space, represented by lower ALPS-index, indicates impairment of the glymphatic system in PD patients. The correlation between elevated plasma nuclear DNA levels and lower ALPS-index supports the notion that PD patients may exhibit increased oxidative stress associated with glymphatic system microstructural alterations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4034509
JournalOxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Volume2021
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Hsiu-Ling Chen et al.

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