Elucidation of Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Tremor Disorders through Focused Ultrasound Sonication and Brain Functional Imaging Analysis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K15727
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Tsuboi Takashi 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 病院助教 (50772266)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: パーキンソン病 / 本態性振戦 / ジストニア性振戦 / 集束超音波治療

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Resting, postural, and kinetic tremor were evaluated using a 9-axis motion sensor in essential tremor, essential tremor plus, dystonic tremor, and Parkinson's disease. Patterns specific to each disease were revealed in terms of frequency, intensity pattern of tremor per task, and regularity of tremor, suggesting that the 9-axis motion sensor is useful for improving the diagnostic accuracy of tremor disorders. Resting-state functional MRI studies of patients with essential tremor and healthy controls before and after focused ultrasound treatment identified abnormal connector hubs in the cerebellum and thalamus. The results suggest that in addition to motor networks, abnormalities in visual feedback and cognitive function are involved in the pathogenesis of essential tremor.

Free Research Field

神経内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

パーキンソン病・本態性振戦・ジストニア性振戦しばしば臨床的な鑑別が難しく，客観的な診断方法が求められている．9軸モーションセンサによる振戦解析はこの目的において有用と考えられた．パーキンソン病・本態性振戦・ジストニア性振戦における振戦の病態には小脳－視床－大脳皮質ネットワークや大脳基底核－視床－大脳皮質ネットワークの異常が指摘されているが，病態解明は不十分であった．今回の結果から，本態性振戦における運動ネットワークだけに留まらないより高次なレベルでのネットワーク異常の存在が示唆された．ジストニア性振戦，パーキンソン病も含めた疾患横断的な検討への足がかりとなることが期待される．