Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remain unclear. This umbrella review aims to synthesize a vast body of evidence from advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of ALS, encompassing a wide range...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Sadegh Ghaderi Sana Mohammadi Farzad Fatehi |
| author_facet | Sadegh Ghaderi Sana Mohammadi Farzad Fatehi |
| author_sort | Sadegh Ghaderi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remain unclear. This umbrella review aims to synthesize a vast body of evidence from advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of ALS, encompassing a wide range of neuroimaging techniques and patient cohorts. <b>Methods:</b> Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted an extensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase) for articles published until 3 December 2024. Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed using the AMSTAR2 tool. <b>Results:</b> This review included 18 studies that incorporated data from over 29,000 ALS patients. Structural MRI consistently showed gray matter atrophy in the motor and extra-motor regions, with significant white matter (WM) atrophy in the corticospinal tract and corpus callosum. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed metabolic disruptions, including reduced N-acetylaspartate and elevated choline levels. Functional MRI studies have demonstrated altered brain activation patterns and functional connectivity, reflecting compensatory mechanisms and neurodegeneration. fMRI also demonstrated disrupted motor network connectivity and alterations in the default mode network. Diffusion MRI highlighted microstructural changes, particularly reduced fractional anisotropy in the WM tracts. Susceptibility-weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping revealed iron accumulation in the motor cortex and non-motor regions. Perfusion MRI indicated hypoperfusion in regions associated with cognitive impairment. <b>Conclusions:</b> Multiparametric MRI consistently highlights widespread structural, functional, and metabolic changes in ALS, reflecting neurodegeneration and compensatory mechanisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bfe53706493747cfbd9e021f0e0b6796 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-bfe53706493747cfbd9e021f0e0b67962025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-07-0115771510.3390/brainsci15070715Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 StudiesSadegh Ghaderi0Sana Mohammadi1Farzad Fatehi2Neuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranNeuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, IranNeuromuscular Research Center, Department of Neurology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remain unclear. This umbrella review aims to synthesize a vast body of evidence from advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of ALS, encompassing a wide range of neuroimaging techniques and patient cohorts. <b>Methods:</b> Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted an extensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase) for articles published until 3 December 2024. Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed using the AMSTAR2 tool. <b>Results:</b> This review included 18 studies that incorporated data from over 29,000 ALS patients. Structural MRI consistently showed gray matter atrophy in the motor and extra-motor regions, with significant white matter (WM) atrophy in the corticospinal tract and corpus callosum. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed metabolic disruptions, including reduced N-acetylaspartate and elevated choline levels. Functional MRI studies have demonstrated altered brain activation patterns and functional connectivity, reflecting compensatory mechanisms and neurodegeneration. fMRI also demonstrated disrupted motor network connectivity and alterations in the default mode network. Diffusion MRI highlighted microstructural changes, particularly reduced fractional anisotropy in the WM tracts. Susceptibility-weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping revealed iron accumulation in the motor cortex and non-motor regions. Perfusion MRI indicated hypoperfusion in regions associated with cognitive impairment. <b>Conclusions:</b> Multiparametric MRI consistently highlights widespread structural, functional, and metabolic changes in ALS, reflecting neurodegeneration and compensatory mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/715amyotrophic lateral sclerosisfunctional MRIdiffusion MRIperfusion MRIsusceptibility-weighted imagingquantitative susceptibility mapping |
| spellingShingle | Sadegh Ghaderi Sana Mohammadi Farzad Fatehi Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies Brain Sciences amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional MRI diffusion MRI perfusion MRI susceptibility-weighted imaging quantitative susceptibility mapping |
| title | Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies |
| title_full | Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies |
| title_fullStr | Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies |
| title_short | Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review of 18 Studies |
| title_sort | magnetic resonance neuroimaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis a comprehensive umbrella review of 18 studies |
| topic | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional MRI diffusion MRI perfusion MRI susceptibility-weighted imaging quantitative susceptibility mapping |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/715 |
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