Spinal Cord Imaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Historical Concepts—Novel Techniques
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of imaging techniques without original data or systematic review methodology
OpenAlex W2938579539 · doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.00350
What was done
This narrative review summarizes historical concepts and emerging quantitative spinal cord imaging techniques in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It discusses their use across cross-sectional, longitudinal, presymptomatic, and machine learning studies, highlighting advantages, limitations, and utility as clinical or trial biomarkers.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings or quantitative metrics. It notes qualitatively that advanced spinal imaging allows in vivo appraisal of lower motor neuron degeneration, corticospinal tract pathology, sensory involvement, metabolic alterations, and interneuron pathology, though physiological, technological, and methodological challenges restrict routine computational use.
Why it matters
In vivo visualization of spinal cord pathology has historically been technically difficult despite being a defining hallmark of ALS. Advanced quantitative imaging could provide non-invasive biomarkers for disease progression, clinical trials, and prognosis.
Limits
This is a narrative review without systematic search protocols, formal study quality assessment, or pooled meta-analytic data. No primary empirical data, cohort sizes, or diagnostic accuracy metrics are reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Jean-Martin Charcot first described amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1869.