New marker of ALS outcome identified

Written By : Isra Zaman

Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Published On 2022-10-01 04:30 GMT | Update On 2022-10-01 04:30 GMT

A study by Human Brain Project (HBP) researchers has identified a new marker for predicting the clinical outcome of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through magnetoencephalography. This marker can be measured in the brain during its resting state and highlights the importance of brain flexibility for ALS patients.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease of the brain and spinal cord that causes loss of muscle control. The ability of moving, speaking and, eventually, breathing is progressively impaired. There is no known cure but treatments to improve symptoms, including magnetic stimulation, are being tested.

The researchers collected magnetoencephalography data on 42 ALS patients and 42 healthy controls at the University Parthenope in Naples, whose MEG facilities have recently become part of EBRAINS - a digital research infrastructure developed as part of the HBP. The new study builds on previous work by the same group, which applied the methodology to Parkinson's disease.

"The neuronal avalanches spread in patterns which we can monitor with whole-brain scans," explains Arianna Polverino ,lead author of the study. "We call the collection of all unique patterns the 'functional repertoire', a measurement of the flexibility of the brain." The researchers focused on quantifying the functional repertoire of ALS brains, even when the patient is unprompted and the brain is in a resting state. "We found that a restriction of the functional repertoire corresponded to a more severe functional impairment. The more flexible the brain, the better the clinical outcome: the functional repertoire can be used as a reliable predictor of how the clinical outlook of a patient will likely evolve."

Reference:

Flexibility of Fast Brain Dynamics and Disease Severity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,Neurology,DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201200

Full View

Article Source : Neurology

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Isra Zaman

Isra Zaman is a Life Science graduate from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, and a postgraduate in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a flair for writing, and her roles at Medicaldialogues include that of a Sr. content writer and a medical correspondent. Her news pieces cover recent discoveries and updates from the health and medicine sector. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

New marker of ALS outcome identified

Similar News

Insomnia Isn't Just Fatiguing-It Could Be Aging Your Brain Faster: Study Shows

AI-Powered Eye Scan Predicts Dementia Risk Years Before Symptoms: Study Finds

Can Blood Tests Replace Brain Scans for Alzheimer's? New Study Says Yes

Artificial Sweeteners Could Speed Up Brain Aging by 1.6 Years: Study Finds

Head Injuries May Raise Brain Cancer Risk: Major Studies Reveal

Tiny Gold Nanoparticles Show Promise For Early Parkinson's Disease Detection: Study Suggests

New 2025 Hypertension Guidelines Released with Stronger Focus on Brain Health and Early Intervention

Women with Down Syndrome More Vulnerable to Alzheimer's Than Men: Study Finds