SE11EHT · Motor Neuron Disease Diagnosis: The utility of standard frame rate B-mode ultrasound imaging

Project summary
The current diagnostic test for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) involves recording electrical activity from muscles, using a needle electrode, to identify the small involuntary contractions (called fasciculation and fibrillations) that characterize the disease. Although they are not dangerous, many patients find the needles painful and unpleasant. The technique can only be applied to a limited range of muscles and, once a diagnosis has been made, clinicians are often reluctant to repeat the measurement. This means it is difficult to follow the time course of the disease or quantify the benefits of any treatments that may be developed.

The small contractions can be seen in ultrasound images, just as ultrasound is used for screening unborn babies, and this offers the possibility of stress free examinations which can be applied to a wide range of muscles and can be repeated as often as needed for clinical or research purposes. To date, members of the research group have led significant innovations in standard frame rate US analysis of large muscle activations; the smallest movements associated with postural control. The first stage of the proposed study is to apply computer-based pattern recognition techniques recently developed in our group, to detect and quantify the different involuntary contractions in patients with MND, subsequent work will explore the sensitivity and accuracy of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool compared with conventional needle electrode examination and provide preliminary evidence of whether developed image based approaches could reliably identify cases of MND to an acceptable clinical standard.

Project aims and objectives
■Evaluate the sensitivity and reliability of different image processing metrics for the detection of fasciculations and fibrillations in standard frame rate (25-80Hz) B-mode ultrasound images.
■Characterise the spatial and temporal characteristics of fasciculations and fibrillations in standard frame rate (25-80Hz) B-mode ultrasound images.
■Provide preliminary evidence of the sensitivity of B-mode ultrasound imaging in diagnosis of MND.
■Provide preliminary evidence of the sensitivity of B-mode ultrasound imaging in monitoring MND.
Specific requirements of the project
Essential skills: Good mathematical and computational skills and good interpersonal skills

Desirable skills: Medical image analysis, familiarity with C/C++

Full training will be given on basic muscle physiology and sonographic imaging, including the range of analysis techniques currently available in our lab.