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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Neuroimaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Martin R Turner1, Federica Agosta, Peter Bede
1Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, UK. martin.turner@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
Biomarkers in Medicine
|June 27, 2012
Summary
Neuroimaging advances, particularly MRI, offer new insights into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and its extra-motor pathology. These techniques reveal biomarkers crucial for understanding this complex neurodegenerative disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves progressive neurodegeneration in motor pathways and exhibits extra-motor pathology overlapping with frontotemporal dementia.
- Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have significantly advanced neurological disease study beyond post-mortem analysis.
- Radionuclide imaging provides mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review neuroimaging techniques applied to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) over the past 25 years.
- To identify biomarkers revealed by these imaging modalities.
- To discuss future developments in neuroimaging for ALS research.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of neuroimaging techniques including CT, MRI (with advanced sequences), and radionuclide imaging.
- Focus on techniques applicable to both brain and spinal cord.
- Analysis of studies investigating cortical and white matter structure, metabolites, and blood flow in ALS.
Main Results:
- Advanced MRI sequences are highly sensitive to structural and metabolic changes in ALS.
- Neuroimaging has revealed various biomarkers associated with ALS pathology.
- Techniques are increasingly applicable to the spinal cord, crucial for studying this multisystem disorder.
Conclusions:
- MRI, with its advanced sequences, is an invaluable tool for studying ALS as a multisystem disorder.
- Neuroimaging plays a critical role in biomarker discovery for ALS.
- Continued evolution of imaging techniques promises further insights into ALS pathogenesis and progression.
