Cervical Spinal Cord Metabolism and Microstructure in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS)

Cervical Spinal Cord Metabolism and Microstructure in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS)

The investigators want to know if magnetic resonance imaging can accurately provide an early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Currently there is no definitive diagnostic test for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The investigators' goal is to determine if magnetic resonance imaging can provide an accurate diagnosis of ALS by looking at chemical concentrations in the spinal cord at the neck level which show up in MRI imaging and compare these chemical concentrations to corresponding measures in healthy control subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults age 18 to 80 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Do not have active substance abuse
2. Do not have co-morbid psychiatric disease
3. Do not have opportunistic central nervous system infection
4. Do not have cerebrovascular disease
5. Do not have a contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)(e.g. cardiac pacemaker, ferromagnetic or metallic implants).
6. Are not pregnant
7. Have not had cervical spinal surgery(neck) -