To combine several brain imaging techniques to develop a new diagnostic test to help with earlier diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Early diagnosis and lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of ALS remain a significant obstacle to making a timely intervention to help patients suffering from this fatal disease. We envision a future in which neuroimaging techniques will be a critical tool in the diagnostic work-up of ALS. Advanced neuroimaging techniques offer great potential in identifying central nervous system metabolite and cellular alterations in ALS. We propose an innovative approach to combine complementary advanced MRI techniques to interrogate brain chemistry (MRS), brain microstructure (DTI) and brain function (fcMRI) and develop a clinically relevant discriminatory disease model.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and lower neuron motor skills and healthy subjects will undergo an MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)scans of the brain to assess neurologic condition. The brain scans will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
University of Michigan Hospital
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Developing a Discrimination Model to Diagnose ALS
We will measure brain fractional anisotropy (unitless) using diffusion tensor imaging of ALS patients and compare these to corresponding measures in healthy control subjects as well as patients with lower motor neuron signs only.
Time frame: 5 years
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