MRI DTI and PDFF as Biomarkers for Lower Motor Neuron Degeneration in ALS

To evaluate the utility of nerve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and muscle MRI multi-echo Dixon for assessing lower motor neuron (LMN) degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this prospective observational cohort study, 14 patients with ALS and 13 h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in neuroscience 2021-08, Vol.15, p.682126-682126
Main Authors: Lichtenstein, Thorsten, Sprenger, Alina, Weiss, Kilian, Große Hokamp, Nils, Maintz, David, Schlamann, Marc, Fink, Gereon R, Lehmann, Helmar C, Henning, Tobias D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
diffusion tensor imaging
motor neuron disease
neurodegeneration
Neuroscience
proton density fat fraction
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Summary:To evaluate the utility of nerve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and muscle MRI multi-echo Dixon for assessing lower motor neuron (LMN) degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this prospective observational cohort study, 14 patients with ALS and 13 healthy controls underwent a multiparametric MRI protocol, including DTI of the sciatic nerve and assessment of muscle proton density fat fraction of the biceps femoris and the quadriceps femoris muscles by a multi-echo Dixon sequence. In ALS patients, mean fractional anisotropy values of the sciatic nerve were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. The quadriceps femoris, but not the biceps femoris muscle, showed significantly higher intramuscular fat fractions in ALS. Our study provides evidence that multiparametric MRI protocols might help estimate structural nerve damage and neurogenic muscle changes in ALS.
ISSN:1662-4548
1662-453X
1662-453X
DOI:10.3389/fnins.2021.682126