Just like how a treasure map reveals hidden pathways to a chest of gold, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a cutting-edge technique that uncovers the intricate network of white matter alterations in Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is not just limited to motor symptoms; it also encompasses various non-motor symptoms that dominate the disease’s progression. To understand the underlying structural changes in the brain, scientists have turned to DTI, which allows them to detect early axonal abnormalities caused by PD. By analyzing DTI data from the past five years, researchers have unraveled how this imaging technique can identify different stages and subtypes of PD, as well as atypical parkinsonism. Furthermore, DTI tractography has proven to be invaluable in guiding interventional treatments like deep brain stimulation. The evidence gathered from multisite DTI studies suggests that this method, along with advanced analytical tools, can track the dynamic processes of PD and distinguish between the affected structural networks in PD and other parkinsonism syndromes. With continued research and optimization, DTI holds great promise for tailoring personalized treatments for PD patients based on their unique clinical conditions and risk profiles.
