Premium
Magnetization transfer ratio: a quantitative imaging biomarker for 5q spinal muscular atrophy
Author(s) -
Kollmer J.,
Kessler T.,
Sam G.,
Hayes J. M.,
Lentz S. I.,
Heiland S.,
Bendszus M.,
Wick W.,
Weiler M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/ene.14528
Subject(s) - sma* , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , magnetization transfer , sciatic nerve , spinal muscular atrophy , atrophy , biomarker , nuclear medicine , anatomy , pathology , radiology , chemistry , biochemistry , disease , mathematics , combinatorics
In this exploratory study, we used magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging, an MRI technique that provides information about protons bound to macromolecular structures such as myelin lipids or collagen, to quantify sciatic nerve lesions in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) 3a and 3b. Our results show that the calculated magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) reliably differentiated between healthy controls, SMA 3a, and SMA 3b, while correlating well with clinical scores and compound motor action potentials. MTR might become a new imaging biomarker that potentially helps to better monitor SMA patients on causative pharmacotherapies in the future.