Imaging of metabolic diseases of the brain

Awareness is increasing regarding the utility of MR imaging in the diagnosis and characterization of a wide number of inherited and acquired metabolic diseases. Although the pattern of disease is not often specific, the distribution may suggest a differential diagnosis that may be pursued by increasingly specific enzyme analysis. An exciting potential exists for detecting asymptomatic carriers for these diseases. MR imaging is also of value in monitoring these diseases and in planning therapy for those few conditions for which intervention is possible.