Korean J Clin Neurophysiol.  2016 Jun;18(1):18-20. 10.14253/kjcn.2016.18.1.18.

Myelin Water Fraction MRI in a Case of Clinically Probable Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

• Yang J
• Lee J
• Kim E
• Shin DH

• KMID: 2328824
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14253/kjcn.2016.18.1.18

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron degenerative disease that clinically manifests both upper and lower motor neuron signs. However, it is unknown where and how the motor neuron degeneration begins, and conflicting hypotheses have been suggested. Recent advanced radiological techniques enable us to look into ALS neuropathology in vivo. Herein, we report a case with upper motor neuron-predominant ALS in whom the results of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and myelin water fraction MRI suggest axonal degeneration.

Keyword

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pathology

MeSH Terms

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis*
Axons
Brain
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Motor Neurons
Myelin Sheath*
Neuropathology
Pathology
Water*
Water

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. (A, B) Axial (A) and coronal (B) T2-weighted MRI of the brain display bilateral high signal intensity along the corticospinal tract (CST) (white arrows). (C, D) The mean myelin quantity was larger in the CST area than in the adjacent splenium of corpus callosum (right CST = 8,812, left CST = 8,677, splenium = 8,193) (green circles). MRI; magnetic resonance image.

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