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7779893 
Journal Article 
Review 
Transcranial sonography in brain disorders with trace metal accumulation 
Walter, U 
2010 
Yes 
International Review of Neurobiology
ISSN: 0074-7742
EISSN: 2162-5514 
International Review of Neurobiology 
90 
166-178 
English 
20692501 
WOS:000281350800012 
Transcranial sonography (TCS) can detect trace metal accumulation in deep brain structures with higher sensitivity than conventional MRI. Especially, increased iron content in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease, increased copper content in the lenticular nucleus (LN) in Wilson's disease and idiopathic dystonia, and increased manganese content in the LN in manganese-induced Parkinsonism were detected with TCS, even in subjects with normal MRI. TCS, therefore, might be useful to detect an increased risk of developing neurological symptoms in relatives of patients with Parkinson's or Wilson's disease. The exact mechanism of how an elevated trace metal content leads to an increased echogenicity needs to be further elucidated.