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Thank you camilla for the explanation of the use of MRI and MRS. I have 2 close friends (one a relative) who have ms. I know that the MRS was used to dx my friend last year. The symptoms she continues to have are very similar to pd but after months of wondering if or what, the MRS showed she has ms. One can see how helpful they are no matter the cost to administer. I saw how hard it has been for her and her family not knowing and hoping it was a lot of simple things instead of ms or some other serious illness. Once she knew though, the worry changed to a course of treatment to fight for life. This is what all of us need isn't it, a way to fight for the life we have? *seattle* audrey friend of pwp aussie John 49/42/38 ? btw..I do know how expensive any magnetic type tests are.. they can be the defining tests though.. From: Camilla Flintermann <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 8:55 AM Subject: MRI test > From WebMD website, this is interesting, as we have just discussed MRI test > recommended for Kathy: > ***** > Test Name -- Magnetic Resonance Imaging > (MRI) of the Brain and Spinal Cord > Other names > Magnetic resonance scan of the brain and > spinal cord. > For a full description of this test, See > chapter 3. > Purpose > To scan the brain for the presence > of stroke, tumors, bleeding, abnormal blood > vessels, infectious and inflammatory conditions, seizures, and disorders > characterized by abnormal accumulation of iron. > To look for changes in brain > structure associated with degenerative brain diseases > (eg, Huntington's disease). > To detect tumors, blood vessel > abnormalities, herniated disks, degenerative diseases of the spinal column > or spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, traumatic injury, infectious and > inflammatory diseases, and other problems of the spinal cord. > A recent variant of MRI > technology called magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measures specific > brain chemicals and may be used in the diagnosis of stroke, > tumors, and multiple sclerosis. > To assess oxygen levels and blood > flow to the brain. > > Interpretation > > The doctor studies the views of your brain > and spinal cord on a monitor or on film for > abnormalities. > > The next step > > Treatment according to diagnosis; for some > abnormalities (eg, changes in the bones of the skull), a subsequent CT scan > may provide additional diagnostic information. > > Based on The Yale University School of > Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests by Barry L. Zaret M.D., Senior > Editor, Copyright (c) 1997 by Yale University School of Medicine and > G. S. Sharpe Communications, Inc. Published under license from Houghton > Mifflin Co. > > > Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter 81/70/55 > Oxford, Ohio > http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/camilla/one.htm > <[log in to unmask]> > > also, on PDWebring at http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/genugten/flinterm.htm > > > "Ask me about the CARE list for > Caregivers of Parkinsonians ! " >