STUDY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF NEUROIMAGING METHODS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Аннотация

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system, primarily characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Although PD is traditionally diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, early-stage symptoms are often subtle and may overlap with other parkinsonian syndromes, complicating accurate diagnosis. Consequently, modern neuroimaging techniques, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are becoming increasingly important in the diagnostic process. This article analyzes the diagnostic potential of MRI in the early detection of PD, with a specific focus on advanced imaging modalities such as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). MRI can detect iron deposition in the substantia nigra and reveal microstructural changes in nigrostriatal pathways, which are valuable for distinguishing PD from other neurodegenerative parkinsonian syndromes. Research shows that when MRI findings are combined with clinical assessments, the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of PD diagnosis significantly improve. This study highlights the potential of MRI technologies to contribute to early and accurate identification of Parkinson’s disease, thereby supporting more effective clinical decision-making in neurology.