Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy Imaging to Evaluate Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) · Aug 22, 2001

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Standard MRI imaging of the brain shows no consistent abnormalities in many degenerative disorders with progressive upper motor neuron symptoms, including primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraparesis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) is able to evaluate certain cerebral metabolites that reflect the functioning and integrity of neurons. The objective of this protocol is to study metabolic changes in the motor cortex and corticospinal tract using MRS in these disorders to characterize the pathology, the progression of the diseases...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Adult patients with PLS, HSP, and ALS already evaluated by protocol #01-N-0148.
• • Adult normal volunteers
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Pregnancy, implanted devices such as pacemakers, medication pumps or defibrillators, metal in the cranium except the mouth, intracardiac lines, history of eye shrapnel injury or any other condition/device that may contraindicate or prevent the acquisition of an MRI.