Neuroimaging advances in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multi-system neurodegenerative disease characterized with degeneration of both motor and non-motor areas. Complicated clinical manifestations and lack of objective biomarkers for upper motor neuron deficits challenged the early diagnosis of ALS. Meanwhile, heterogeneous non-motor symptoms and conflicted treatment effects exacerbated the management and therapy of the disease. The multiparametric functional MRI has the potential to address all the needs for diagnosis, management, and disease modified therapy in ALS. The present paper summarizes the research progress in both motor and non-motor impairment in ALS, as well as their potential value in visualizing disease stages and drug effect evaluation. Focusing on the heterogeneity of the disease and combining with brain and spinal cord imaging may provide direct evidence for disease diagnosis and treatment and be the priority in the future for ALS.