Corpus callosum involvement is a consistent feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

While the hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is corticospinal tract in combination with lower motor neuron degeneration, the clinical involvement of both compartments is characteristically variable and the site of onset debated. We sought to establish whether there is a consistent signature of cerebral white matter abnormalities in heterogeneous ALS cases.

Methods

In this observational study, diffusion tensor imaging was applied in a whole-brain analysis of 24 heterogeneous patients with ALS and well-matched healthy controls. Tract-based spatial statistics were used, with optimized voxel-based morphometry of T1 images to determine any associated gray matter involvement.

Results

A consistent reduction in fractional anisotropy was demonstrated in

SUBMITTER: Filippini N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2974368 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature