|
Study results appear in the September issue of Radiology.
Oak Brook, Ill. (PRWEB) August 28, 2007 -- Using magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain, researchers have identified a new abnormality related to disease progression and disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published in the September issue of Radiology, published by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
“Based on these findings, physicians may be able to diagnose multiple sclerosis more accurately and identify patients at risk for developing progressive disease,” said the study’s lead author, Rohit Bakshi, M.D., associate professor of neurology and radiology at Harvard Medical School and director of clinical MS-MRI at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Partners MS Center in Boston.
MS is a chronic, autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of myelin, the protective layers that surround nerve cells. It can affect numerous body functions, and symptoms may include visual and speech impairment, memory loss, depression, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, numbness, pain, bowel and bladder problems and sexual dysfunction.
MS affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States and as many as 2.5 million worldwide, mostly women between the ages of 20 and 50, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
There are four classifications of MS, but the two most common types are relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive. Patients with relapsing-remitting MS will experience symptom flare-ups followed by periods of no disease progression. Patients with secondary- progressive MS exhibit an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, followed by steady disease progression.
Dr. Bakshi and colleagues retrospectively reviewed the T1 MRI data of 145 MS patients, including 112 women and 33 men. Ninety-two patients had relapsing-remitting MS, and 49 patients had secondary-progressive MS. The disease classification was unknown in four patients.
The researchers found that T1-weighted MR images of the brains of MS patients often depict bright areas called hyperintense lesions, also known as areas of “T1 shortening,” and set out to determine if there was a relationship between the frequency and location of these lesions and disease progression, brain atrophy and disability in patients with MS.
The analysis uncovered 340 T1 hyperintense lesions in 123 patients. Lesions were more likely to be present in patients with secondary-progressive MS. In addition, 71 percent of patients with secondary-progressive MS had multiple T1 hyperintense lesions, compared with 46 percent of relapsing-remitting MS patients.
The total number of T1 hyperintense lesions was closely correlated with physical disability, disease progression and brain atrophy.
“The findings suggest that T1 hyperintense lesions commonly occur in patients with MS and that the presence of multiple lesions indicates a risk for an advancing disease course,” Dr. Bakshi said. “These results further emphasize the importance of MR neuroimaging in the diagnosis and management of neurologic disorders such as MS.”
Journal attribution required.
Radiology is a monthly scientific journal devoted to clinical radiology and allied sciences. The journal is edited by Anthony V. Proto, M.D., School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va. Radiology is owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA.org/radiologyjnl).
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 40,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to excellence in patient care through education and research. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org).
“Multiple Sclerosis: Hyperintense Lesions in the Brain on Nonenhanced T1-weighted MR Images Evidenced as Areas of T1 Shortening.” Collaborating on this paper with Dr. Bakshi were Vallabh Janardhan, M.D., and Sonu Suri, M.D.
RSNA Media Relations: 1-630-590-7762
www.rsna.org
Contacts:
Linda Brooks
1-630-590-7738
Maureen Morley
1-630-590-7754
# # #
| |
The Scooter Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Kanawah Woman Suffering from Multiple Sclerosis
Power Chair through The SCOOTER Store's Gift of Mobility Program Lets Devoted Wife and Grandmother Continue to Share Happy Times
Kanawah, WV, June 1, 2007— Patricia Barker, 46, has experienced some of the most difficult times in her life, because multiple sclerosis (MS) has limited her mobility over the years. The love for her family and from her family has helped her remain upbeat and positive, even as her disabilities sometimes isolate her from her family. Today, with the gift of a power wheelchair from The SCOOTER Store, Mrs. Barker can remain connected to those she loves the most.
Jim Blevins, Account Manager at The SCOOTER Store's Dunbar location delivered a power wheelchair to Mrs. Barker today as part of company's "Gift of Mobility" program. Representatives from The SCOOTER Store teamed up with Christy Conley of the Multiple Sclerosis Society to donate the power wheelchair.
Happily married for 30 years to her high school sweetheart, with two beautiful daughters, and two active grandchildren, Mrs. Barker–or "Mamaw" as she is lovingly called–has built her life around her family. She calls her family the "love of my life". Her family's love helped her cope with her diagnosis of MS at the same time she learned her mother had terminal cancer and only one month to live.
Since then, Barker has become so tired and weak from MS that she is barely able to stand or move around using a walker. Her immobility causes her to depend entirely on her husband and daughters to handle household chores she once handled as a full-time homemaker.
While her physical condition has worsened and dependence on her family has been tough, the prospect of not joining her family on trips to the park or stores was very difficult for Barker. She knew she needed a power wheelchair, but also knew that she had no insurance and no money to obtain one.
Determined to remain mobile, Mrs. Barker contacted The SCOOTER Store through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and was "very excited" to learn that she was chosen to receive a free power wheelchair. Mrs. Barker says she looks forward "to being able to go to the carnival this summer" with her grandchildren.
Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store, said he is "pleased that Mrs. Barker will regain the mobility to allow her to spend valuable time with her family". Mr. Harrison added he is "grateful that the Gift of Mobility program will improve the quality of life for Mrs. Barker as it has for so many others over the past several years."
Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002. Since then, the outreach program has worked with organizations around the world to donate every year as many as 70 power wheelchairs and scooters and manual wheelchairs–valued at more than $200,000–to community service organizations, enabling them to provide freedom, independence and personal integrity to individuals with limited mobility.
About The SCOOTER Store
Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 300,000 people with limited mobility. The SCOOTER Store offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs and scooters, lift, ramps and accessories in 47 states. The SCOOTER Store has worked with more than 100,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality service to their patients, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
|
|
