Funded Grants

A combined in-vivo ex-vivo approach to investigate imaging biomarkers in ALS diagnosis and aetiology

Project Overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure, leading to progressive loss of motor function and ultimately death. While it is known that patients with ALS experience changes in certain brain regions visible on imaging, the relationships between these imaging markers and the underlying mechanisms of the disease are poorly understood. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that can be used to detect and quantify the brain changes in ALS patients. Combining imaging in living ALS patients with the insights of neuropathological assessments from donated postmortem brains with ALS allows for a better understanding of disease origins and its progression. We propose a novel in-vivo ex-vivo imaging approach to investigate how observed changes in the MRI are related to neuropathology in ALS. By combining advanced MRI analysis techniques with these neuropathological findings, we can uncover complex and multilevel patterns that would otherwise remain undetectable and unspecific. This in turn can provide further insights into the mechanisms involved in disease progression, survival, and clinical disability. The proposed study will lead to development of MRI-based biomarkers that can be used to non-invasively monitor disease progression as well as prognostic models that can be used for disease management and clinical trial enrichment.

Principal Investigator

Zaki Alasmar , McGill University

Partners and Donors

Linda Auger Morissette et Amis

Project Ongoing

A combined in-vivo ex-vivo approach to investigate imaging biomarkers in ALS diagnosis and aetiology

Grant Type
Capacity building grants
Area of research
Neurodegeneration
Disease Area
ALS
Competition
Rising Stars Trainee Awards
Province
Québec
Start Date
2024
Total Grant Amount
$12,000
Health Canada Contribution
$6,000