MRI AND SPECT FINDINGS IN AMYOTROPHIC-LATERAL-SCLEROSIS - DEMONSTRATION OF UPPER MOTOR-NEURON INVOLVEMENT BY CLINICAL NEUROIMAGING

MRI was performed in 21 patients and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with N-isopropyl-p-I-123 iodoamphetamine in 16 patients, to visualize upper motor neurone lesions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. T2-weighted MRI revealed high signal along the course of the pyramidal tract in the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle in 4 of 21 patients. SPECT images were normal in 4 patients, but uptake was reduced in the cerebral cortex that includes the motor area in 11.