Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Traumatic Dementia At An Early Stage

Non-Invasive Diagnosis Of Traumatic Dementia At An Early Stage.
A "virtual biopsy" may serve determine a degenerative brain disorder that can occur in efficient athletes and others who suffer repeated blows to the head, says a new study. Symptoms of habitual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) can include memory problems, impulsive and erratic behavior, gloom and, eventually, dementia next page. The condition, which is marked by an accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, can only be diagnosed by an autopsy.

But a specialized imaging mode called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may proposal a noninvasive way to diagnose CTE at an early stage so that treatment can begin before further brains damage occurs, say US researchers. MRS - sometimes referred to as "virtual biopsy" - uses formidable magnetic field and radio waves to gather dope about chemical compounds in the body enlarge. The researchers used MRS to examine five retired maven male football players, wrestlers and boxers, ages 32 to 55, with suspected CTE and compared them to a domination group of five age-matched men.

Compared to the control group, the brains of the ex- athletes had increased levels of choline, a cell membrane nutrient that signals the company of damaged tissue, and of glutamate/glutamine (Glx). The former athletes also had altered levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), aspartate, and glutamate.

An estimated 3,8 million concussions akin to sports and fun and games occur in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The memorize was to be presented Dec 1, 2010 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.

So "By portion us identify the neurochemicals that may play a role in CTE, this swat has contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder," Alexander P Lin, a principal investigator at the Center for Clinical Spectroscopy at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, said in a friendship news release. "Being able to interpret CTE could help athletes of all ages and levels, as well as war veterans who permit mild brain injuries, many of which go undetected" effect. Because the study is being presented at a medical meeting, its statistics and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.