DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATIONS: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Laboratory Evaluation	Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Electromyography	Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Lumbar Puncture	Motor Unit Number Estimate
Magnetic Resonance Imaging	Muscle and Nerve Biopsy
Quantitative Muscle Testing

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy can be conducted at the same time as a standard MRI. The difference is the use of a state of the art technology that analyze the chemical composition of proton (hydrogen)-based molecules, some of which are very specific to nerve cells. This technology evaluates the chemical composition and integrity of functioning upper motor neurons in the brain, particularly motor neurons.

Scientists involved with MRS technology associated with ALS are Dikoma Shungu, Steven Chan, and Gerard Perrer.