Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Imaging Myelin Injury in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

This is a pilot study to identify the degree of grey and white matter involvement in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) utilizing non-invasive techniques. The imaging to be utilized will be the 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. These results will be correlated to the ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R) score to assess if any changes in MRI can be predictive in the disability of the ALS patients at baseline and at 6 month intervals. The participants will be asked to return every 6 months for a neurological examination, ALSFRS-R assessment, measurement of the vital capacity and MRI as outlined above to monitor progression of the disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and Females who are 18 - 80 years old.
• The participants will meet the standard diagnostic criteria for possible or probable ALS (based on El Escorial criteria). They will have been diagnosed by a Johns Hopkins Neurologist.
• Healthy controls will be recruited by their interest in assisting the ALS population.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Forced vital capacity less than 60 % of predicted value.
• Documented orthopnea on ALSFRS-R or otherwise unable to lie flat in an MRI scanner for the duration of the study.
• Presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, shrapnel or otherwise disallowed implanted metallic devices for obtaining an MRI scan.
• Pregnant or lactating females
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60
• History of: encephalitis, extensive white matter disease, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral palsy, allergy to dye and/or IV drug abuse.