Changes in substantia nigra and locus coeruleus in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease using neuromelanin-sensitive MR imaging

► Neuromelanin MRI can visualize neuromelanin-containing nuclei. ► We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of this technique in the early stages of PD. ► We detected remarkable signal attenuations in the SNc and LC in early PD. ► Neuromelanin MRI can readily distinguish early PD from healthy control.