Summary Summary Short summary of a recent publication, written by scientific experts. Published: 01 May 2023

Biomarkers for focal motor weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – an accurate tool?

  • In an observational imaging study using fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to longitudinally assess patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a pattern of brain metabolic alterations consistent with previous findings were noted.
  • The authors concluded that increased hypometabolism and decreased hypermetabolism were markers of higher symptom burden.
  • Focal motor weakness did not correlate to specific metabolic alterations, suggesting metabolic changes observed via FDG-PET cannot be used as a predictor of focal motor weakness progression.