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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
White matter pathology in ALS and lower motor neuron ALS variants: a diffusion tensor imaging study using tract-based
Johannes Prudlo1, Charlotte Bißbort, Aenne Glass
1Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Gehlsheimer Str. 20, 18147, Rostock, Germany. johannes.prudlo@med.uni-rostock.de
Journal of Neurology
|February 22, 2012
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed white matter changes in both classical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and lower motor neuron (LMN) ALS variants. These microstructural changes correlate with disease severity, supporting LMN variants as part of the ALS spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) encompasses classical and lower motor neuron (LMN) variants.
- Understanding white matter microstructural changes is crucial for diagnosing and characterizing ALS subtypes.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offers a non-invasive method to assess white matter integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white-matter microstructural alterations in classical ALS and LMN ALS variants.
- To compare these changes within and outside the corticospinal tract.
- To explore the relationship between white matter damage and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on 22 ALS patients (15 classical, 7 LMN variants) and 21 controls using a 1.5-T scanner.
- Whole-brain DTI analysis included tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and a region of interest (ROI) approach.
- Disease severity was assessed using the revised functional rating scale.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) were observed in both classical ALS and LMN ALS variants compared to controls.
- FA reductions were found in both motor and extra-motor cerebral fiber tracts.
- White matter damage correlated with disease severity and was present in LMN variants, albeit to a lesser extent.
Conclusions:
- ALS and its LMN variants are multisystem degenerations affecting white matter.
- DTI can potentially aid in earlier diagnosis, especially for LMN ALS variants.
- The similar white matter findings in classical ALS and LMN variants support their classification within the ALS spectrum.
