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Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia and visual loss. It is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding the ataxin 7 protein. Visual loss is due to a progressive atrophy of photoreceptor cells that results in macular degeneration in more advanced stages. Initial semiautomatic measures in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on the brain stem have shown a diminished volume mainly in the cerebellum and pons, while T2 images have shown hyperintensities in transverse fibers at the pons. Neuropathological research, however, has shown more widespread brain damage including loss of myelinated fibers. In this study we decided to take advantage of recent MRI methodological advances to further explore the gray and white matter changes that occur in SCA7 patients. We studied nine genetically confirmed SCA7 …