Characterization of involuntary spontaneous focal muscle activity by means of motion-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging and automated post-processing of data

通过运动敏感磁共振成像和数据自动后处理来表征非自愿自发局灶性肌肉活动

• 批准号: 337721085
• 负责人: Professor Dr. Fritz Schick
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Radiologische Universitätsklinik (Department)
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: Research Grants
• 资助国家: 德国
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/337721085?language=en
• 关键词: Characterization; involuntary; spontaneous; focal; muscle

In single images of series of diffusion-sensitive single-shot magnetic resonance images of resting skeletal muscles, distinct regionally limited signal voids often occur even in healthy subjects. These signal voids show different geometry and localization in the course of a series of measurements, with some muscle groups being affected more frequently than others. The signal voids show a high correlation to weak electrical activities in the simultaneously derived surface electromyography (sEMG). Short involuntary focal contractions, which microscopically do not affect all muscle fibers equally and thus lead to incoherent movement patterns, are assumed to be the cause of the signal voids. The relative movements on the microscopic scale induce a dephasing of the signal components of the pixels (like real diffusion movements) and lead to the observed signal voids in diffusion-sensitive images. The pattern of signal voids indicates spontaneous activities with individual activations of motor neurons. This research project aims to further characterize the phenomenon of spontaneous muscle activity, based on the findings of the funded initial DFG proposal, in different age and gender groups of healthy volunteers and in specific patient groups. A parallel application of surface electromyographic (sEMG) methods and sEMG triggering of the acquisition of MRI images will be used to characterize more precisely the course of the mechanical reaction, which is delayed compared to the electrical activity. Furthermore, the value of the new method will be investigated by comparing it with clinically established diagnostic procedures. In neurological diagnostics for the investigation of spontaneous muscular movements (fasciculations), sonographic methods, which are sometimes difficult to detect deeper muscle layers, as well as electromyographic examinations with needle electrodes are available. Although the latter method is somewhat invasive, it can reveal specific changes in motor neuron diseases. In the first phase of the project, MRI sequences and evaluation procedures will be adapted and optimized for applications in muscle areas that are relevant for neuromuscular diseases. A further development of the combined sEMG-MRI investigation with regard to the robustness of the detection algorithms for prospective images will provide a detailed insight into the interrelationships of electrical and mechanical activities. In the second phase of the project, systematic investigations with different clinically established methods (muscle sonography and needle electromyography) will be performed on healthy volunteers and specific patient groups. This will allow a better classification of the results of the MRI method by evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses compared to established procedures.

在静息骨骼肌的一系列扩散敏感单次磁共振图像的单幅图像中，即使在健康受试者中也经常出现明显的区域有限信号空洞。这些信号空洞在一系列测量过程中显示出不同的几何形状和定位，一些肌肉群比其他肌肉群更容易受到影响。信号空洞与同时导出的表面肌电图 (sEMG) 中的弱电活动显示出高度相关性。短暂的不自主局灶收缩在微观上不会平等地影响所有肌纤维，从而导致不连贯的运动模式，被认为是信号空白的原因。微观尺度上的相对运动会引起像素信号分量的相移（如真实的扩散运动），并导致在扩散敏感图像中观察到信号空白。信号空白的模式表明运动神经元个体激活的自发活动。该研究项目旨在根据资助的最初 DFG 提案的研究结果，进一步描述不同年龄和性别的健康志愿者以及特定患者群体的自发肌肉活动现象。表面肌电图 (sEMG) 方法和 MRI 图像采集的 sEMG 触发的并行应用将用于更精确地表征机械反应的过程，与电活动相比，机械反应是延迟的。此外，将通过与临床建立的诊断程序进行比较来研究新方法的价值。在用于研究自发肌肉运动（肌束颤动）的神经学诊断中，可以使用有时难以检测更深肌肉层的超声检查方法以及使用针电极的肌电图检查。虽然后一种方法具有一定的侵入性，但它可以揭示运动神经元疾病的具体变化。在该项目的第一阶段，将调整和优化 MRI 序列和评估程序，以适应与神经肌肉疾病相关的肌肉区域的应用。在前瞻性图像检测算法的鲁棒性方面，sEMG-MRI 联合研究的进一步发展将提供对电气和机械活动相互关系的详细了解。在该项目的第二阶段，将使用不同的临床既定方法（肌肉超声检查和针肌电图）对健康志愿者和特定患者群体进行系统研究。与既定程序相比，这将通过评估 MRI 方法的优缺点来更好地对 MRI 方法的结果进行分类。