High-Resolution 7T MR Imaging of the Motor Cortex in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive motor neuron disorder that involves degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. In patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pathologic studies and ex vivo high-resolution MR imaging at ultra-high field strength revealed the co-localization of iron and activated microglia distributed in the deep layers of the primary motor cortex. The aims of the study were to measure the cortical thickness and evaluate the distribution of iron-related signal changes in the primary motor cortex of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as possible in vivo biomarkers of upper motor neuron impairment.

Materials and methods

Twenty-two patients with definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 14 healthy subjects

SUBMITTER: Cosottini M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7960124 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature