Using MRI scans to track nerve and muscle damage in neuropathy patients

This research study uses a special type of MRI scan called quantitative neuromuscular MRI to measure how nerve damage affects muscles over time. Researchers are looking at three types of nerve diseases: Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (an inherited condition), hereditary transthyretin amyloid neuropathy (another inherited nerve disease), and acquired demyelinating neuropathy (a nerve disease that develops later in life). The MRI scans can detect fatty changes in muscle tissue and other signs of nerve damage more accurately than current tests.

Current clinical tests are not sensitive enough to detect early signs of nerve disease or to measure whether new treatments are working. This research aims to develop better ways to track disease progression and monitor treatment response using MRI imaging, which could help speed up the development of new therapies.