Validation of Diffusion MRI Biomarkers of Peripheral Nerve Degeneration in ALS

ALS is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. Assessment of disease progression is difficult and relies on tests that lack specificity/responsiveness. While imaging biomarkers may meet this need, previous work has focused on the motor neurons or skeletal muscles, with nerves that form the link between these tissues being largely understudied. Previous studies suggest DTI in human nerves may be sensitive to nerve degeneration in ALS and here we sought to validate these measures in a rat model. Preliminary findings showed a progressive decrease in FA, which correlated to the onset of motor neuron loss and muscle wasting.