• Before ALS MRI
• During ALS MRI
• After ALS MRI
• Other diagnostic tests
• ALS treatment
• Summary

MRI is a diagnostic test that doctors use to diagnose and track the progress of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a progressive disease that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the condition causes a person to lose the ability to use their muscles, hindering their ability to walk, talk, and breathe.

MRI is an imaging technology that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create 3D detailed anatomical images of tissues and organs inside the body.

This article outlines what to expect before, during, and after a brain MRI scan for ALS diagnosis. It also discusses other diagnostic tests and possible treatments for ALS.

What to expect before ALS MRI 

Share on PinterestPopartic/Getty Images

Before an MRI scan, a person will change into a hospital gown. This helps prevent artifacts from showing up on the final images. Artifacts are imperfections or distortions that do not feature in the live image.

The guidelines for eating and drinking before an MRI scan can vary depending on the exam type. A person needs to discuss this with their doctor beforehand so they know which steps to take.

They also need to take medications as usual, unless the doctor has asked them otherwise.

In some cases, an MRI scan may require an intravenous injection of a contrast material. Contrast materials are substances that temporarily change the way imaging tools interact with parts of the body.

If a scan does use a contrast material, the imaging center staff will ask the person if they are allergic to these substances.

What to expect during ALS MRI 

During an MRI scan, a person will have to lie down on a moveable exam table. The healthcare professional carrying out the scan may use straps to help maintain the person’s position.

They will then place a device around the person’s head. This device fits like a helmet and is known as the brain MRI coil, which helps create detailed images of the brain.

If the exam involves a contrast material, a medical professional will inject the material into the person’s body through an intravenous catheter.

The person will then move into the magnet section of the MRI machine, and the scan will begin.

The medical professional performing the scan will sit outside the room during the exam. The individual undergoing the scan will be able to talk with the medical professional during the scan via an intercom machine.

During the exam, the person may hear some loud noises as the MRI machine works. They may also experience slight warmth during the scan.

What will a healthcare professional be looking for on the MRI scan?

During an MRI scan, a healthcare professional may look forTrusted Source upper motor neuron (UMN) degeneration. This can signify that ALS is present.

Brain MRI scans can monitor UMN degeneration before a person develops clinical symptoms of ALS. This means that MRI scans may be useful in helping diagnose ALS and track its progression.

A procedure called 1H-MRS can also help doctors see certain biomarkers specific to ALS. This can help them make a diagnosis. 1H-MRS is a noninvasive imaging method for assessingTrusted Source microscopic neurological abnormalities.

Healthcare professionals may also use MRI scans to rule outTrusted Source other possible causes of ALS symptoms.

What to expect after ALS MRI

If a person does not undergo sedation during their MRI scan, they will usually have no recovery period. This means they can resume their usual activities and eat their typical diet after the procedure.

In some rare cases, a person may experience side effects from the contrast material. These side effects include:

• nausea
• headaches
• pain at the injection site

If a person experiences an allergic reaction to the contrast material, they need to tell their doctor or radiologist. Possible signs of an allergic reaction include hives and itchy eyes.

The scan results will usually take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). However, if the results are more urgent, they may arrive more quickly.

Other diagnostic tests 

There is no singleTrusted Source diagnostic test that can fully diagnose ALS.

When diagnosing the condition, a doctor will often carry out a physical exam and review the person’s medical history.

During the physical exam, they may test the individual’s:

• reflexes
• muscle strength
• responses

They may then carry out an electromyography (EMG) test to rule out other diseases and support their ALS diagnosis. An EMG test evaluates how well a person’s muscles and nerves function.

During an EMG, a healthcare professional may carry out a needle exam and nerve conditioning studies (NCS). Needle exams involve using an electrode to detect electrical activity in muscle fibers. An NCS assesses the nerve’s ability to send signals by measuring the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.

Doctors may also recommend a spinal tap or a muscle biopsy if other test results indicate a person may have ALS.

ALS treatment 

There is no cureTrusted Source for ALS. Current ALS treatments aim to slow the disease’s progression and may increase a person’s survival rate. They also aim to improve quality of life.

Treatments that the FDA has approved for treating ALS include:

• Edaravone: Edaravone is a type of antioxidant that can help slow the functional decline in people with ALS.
• Riluzole: Riluzole can reduce the levels of glutamate in the brain. Glutamate plays a role in carrying messages between nerve cells and motor neurons. By reducing these levels, riluzole can reduce damage to motor neurons.
• Tofersen: This new medication helps decrease one of the markers of damage to neurons. However, more studies are necessary to determine the efficacy of this treatment for people with ALS.

The FDA approved the use of sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol in 2022. This medication helps block stress signals in cells, which researchers believe may help prevent nerve death in people with ALS.

However, the manufacturer removed the drug from the market in 2024 after a large clinical trial failed to confirm findings from previous trials into its efficacy.

Summary

Brain MRI scans can help medical professionals diagnose and track the progress of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They can also use MRI scans to rule out other causes of symptoms.

During an MRI scan, doctors may look for upper motor neuron (UMN) degenerationTrusted Source, which can signify that ALS is present.

Other diagnostic tests for ALS include physical exams, electromyography (EMG) tests, spinal taps, and muscle biopsies.

ReplyReply to allForward