Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Voxel-based MRI intensitometry reveals extent of cerebral white matter pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Viktor Hartung1, Tino Prell1, Christian Gaser2
1Hans-Berger Department of Neurology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons. Advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging have shown great potential in capturing a common white matter pathology. However the sensitivity is variable and diffusion tensor imaging is not yet applicable to the routine clinical environment. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) has revealed grey matter changes in ALS, but the bias-reducing algorithms inherent to traditional VBM are not optimized for the assessment of the white matter changes. We have developed a novel approach to white matter analysis, namely voxel-based intensitometry (VBI). High resolution T1-weighted MRI was acquired at 1.5 Tesla in 30 ALS patients and 37 age-matched healthy controls. VBI analysis at the group level revealed widespread white matter intensity increases in the corticospinal tracts, corpus callosum, sub-central, frontal and occipital white matter tracts and cerebellum. VBI results correlated with disease severity (ALSFRS-R) and patterns of cerebral involvement differed between bulbar- and limb-onset. VBI would be easily translatable to the routine clinical environment, and once optimized for individual analysis offers significant biomarker potential in ALS.
Insights
A new MRI analysis method, voxel-based intensitometry (VBI), detects white matter changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. VBI shows potential as a clinical biomarker, correlating with disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves progressive motor neuron loss.
- Existing MRI methods like diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have limitations for routine ALS white matter assessment.
- Traditional voxel-based morphometry (VBM) is not optimal for white matter analysis in ALS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a novel MRI analysis technique, voxel-based intensitometry (VBI), for detecting white matter changes in ALS.
- To assess the correlation of VBI findings with ALS disease severity and clinical presentation.
- To explore the potential of VBI as a translatable clinical biomarker for ALS.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans at 1.5 Tesla.
- Application of voxel-based intensitometry (VBI) for group-level white matter analysis.
- Comparison of VBI results between 30 ALS patients and 37 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- VBI revealed widespread white matter intensity increases in ALS patients across multiple tracts, including corticospinal tracts and corpus callosum.
- VBI findings correlated significantly with disease severity (ALSFRS-R).
- Patterns of cerebral involvement identified by VBI differed based on disease onset (bulbar vs. limb).
Conclusions:
- Voxel-based intensitometry (VBI) is a promising novel method for analyzing white matter changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- VBI demonstrates potential as a clinically translatable biomarker for ALS, offering insights into disease severity and progression.
- The technique shows promise for routine clinical application and individual patient analysis.
