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Rapid improvement in cortical neuronal integrity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

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Abstract

Riluzole prolongs survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The temporal and spatial profile of its effect on the brain is unknown. We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging to evaluate the neuronal response to 1 day of riluzole treatment in motor and non-motor regions of the brain. In 10 patients the N-acetylaspartate/total creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio increased in the precentral gyrus and supplementary motor area, but not in the post-central gyrus or parietal lobe. Improvement in cortical neuronal metabolic function in the motor cortex occurs early with riluzole treatment.

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Acknowledgement

We thank the patients for their voluntary participation. This study was supported in part by the ALS Association of America and by Aventis Pharmaceuticals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 2E3.18 WMC 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, T6G 2B7, Alberta, Canada

    Sanjay Kalra & Peter Tai

  2. Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Quebec, Canada

    Angela Genge & Douglas L. Arnold

Authors
  1. Sanjay Kalra
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  2. Peter Tai
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  3. Angela Genge
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  4. Douglas L. Arnold
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Correspondence to Sanjay Kalra.

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Kalra, S., Tai, P., Genge, A. et al. Rapid improvement in cortical neuronal integrity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. J Neurol 253, 1060–1063 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-006-0162-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-006-0162-7

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