This month’s FSHD University webinar (video above) provided an outstanding, nontechnical explanation of magnetic resonance technology (MRI) and how it is being applied in the Fulcrum Therapeutics clinical trial of an FSHD therapeutic drug. Rosemary Shull of AMRA Medical expounded on why MRI is the “gold standard” method for imaging soft tissues such as muscle, fat, and internal organs. An MRI scanner takes images of virtual “slices” of tissue across a section of the body, then AMRA’s algorithm identifies the boundaries of each tissue type and reconstructs it into three-dimensional images that reveal exquisite details.
In the case of FSHD, researchers are particularly interested in muscles in which fatty tissue gradually replaces lean muscle as the disease progresses. The ratio of fat to total muscle volume may be an important measure of disease progression.
Individuals who are wondering whether to volunteer for an MRI study will appreciate Rosemary Shull’s detailed description of the experience of going into a scanner. She said the entire time needed for a whole-body scan is around 40 minutes, and that the massive MRI machine makes a loud banging noise of around 100 decibes. Wearing headphones (that are cleared to use in an MRI scanner) and listening to music or audiobooks can definitely help to block out the sound and pass the time, she recommended.
Can you use oxygen in the mri for 40 min? I can’t breathe when. Lay down without using oxygen
Here’s what AMRA told us: Patients that rely on oxygen are not precluded for MRI but require oxygen to be pumped into the room by extension tubing – where, importantly, the source of oxygen remains outside the room and the patient wears the entirely plastic tubing in the scanner bore while lying down. The patient, depending on site policy also may have their blood oxygen levels monitored throughout the examination also using an MRI compatible monitor. Many sites have this capability but not all. As a general rule sites that routinely scan in-patients or a specific patient demographic have this set up, it is common. A particular study might preclude those reliant on oxygen but MRI itself does not.
I know you are in America but if your doing this on an International basis I would take part. I’m a 76 year old Male with a severe case of FSHD. I have had to use a Power Wheelchair for approximately 22 years. My wife & carer died recently making it necessary for me to live in a nursing home in our nations capitol, Canberra. If you are doing any research out here and you need a test dummy I’m available.