Biological markers in the diagnosis and treatment of ALS.

摘要: The care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which has classically focused on treatment symptomatology, now entered an encouraging new era therapy targeted at the pathophysiology disease. However, objective measure disease progression and therapeutic response is sorely needed. Quantitative neuromuscular examinations, measurement pulmonary function, disability scales, even survival, are limited by variability due to a number poorly controlled factors. electromyography, positron emission tomography scanning, magnetic cortical stimulation, provide potential indicators progression, but require large long observation period for adequate statistical power. We have examined role resonance spectroscopic imaging in detecting acute changes motor metabolism riluzole therapy. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), most prominent signal proton spectra normal brain, neuron-specific molecule. ALS were found experience significant increase NAA/creatine ratio within 3 weeks initiation As glutamate can trigger generation reactive oxygen species neurons, we speculate that NAA levels may reflect oxidative injury mitochondria where synthesised. advent useful test upper neuron metabolic compromise objective, non-invasive, short duration screen efficacy agents ALS.