Regional cortical folding morphometry in Friedreich ataxia using Laplace Beltrami based gyrification index

Rosita Shishegar, Imis Dogan, Martin B. Delatycki, Gary F. Egan, Elsdon Storey, Louise A. Corben, and Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis; International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, (Abstract #3616) 16-21 June 2018 Paris (France)

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder mainly affecting the spinal cord and dentate nuclei of the cerebellum. Although there is growing evidence of cerebral atrophy and cortical thinning in FRDA, no research has investigated the pattern of cortical folding (gyrification) in the disorder. We have proposed a new MRI analysis technique, Laplace Beltrami based gyrification index (LB-GI), and validated its use in individuals with FRDA. Preliminary results reveal significantly increased regional gyrification in the motor cortex in individuals with FRDA, compared to healthy controls. Overall, our results demonstrate that LB-GI is a sensitive technique which requires further investigation as a potential neuroimaging marker of disease progression in FRDA.

Regional cortical folding morphometry in Friedreich ataxia using Laplace Beltrami based gyrification index