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Potential structural and functional biomarkers of upper motor neuron dysfunction in ALS
Stuart M Grieve1, Parvathi Menon2,3, Mayuresh S Korgaonkar1,4
1a The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead, NSW, and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration
|October 13, 2015
Summary
Objective biomarkers for upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are crucial. Combining cortical thickness analysis with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) effectively identifies UMN dysfunction in ALS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Clinical assessment of upper motor neuron (UMN) function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) presents challenges.
- Objective biomarkers are needed to accurately identify UMN dysfunction in ALS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of combining cortical thickness analysis with threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as biomarkers for UMN dysfunction in ALS.
Main Methods:
- Cortical thickness analysis and threshold tracking TMS were performed on 25 ALS patients.
- Results were compared to healthy control groups for each technique.
Main Results:
- ALS patients showed structural and functional abnormalities in motor cortices.
- Significant findings included reduced short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), altered resting motor threshold, and cortical silent period duration.
- Cortical thinning was observed in bitemporal regions and the precentral gyrus.
Conclusions:
- A combination of structural (cortical thickness) and functional (TMS) assessments enhances the objective identification of UMN dysfunction in ALS.
- This integrated approach improves diagnostic yield for UMN abnormalities in ALS.
