A team of researchers at King’s College of the University of London (KCL) has developed a brain scan which can purportedly detect autism in adults. The scan, which uses MRI to obtain images of the brain, can identify autism based on the physical makeup of grey matter in the brain. Results of an initial study involving the scan were published in the Journal of Neuroscience today. From the article: The team used an MRI scanner to take pictures of the brain’s grey matter. A separate imaging technique was then used to reconstruct these scans into 3D images that could be assessed for structure, shape and thickness — all intricate measurements that reveal Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at its root. The research studied 20 healthy adults, 20 adults with ASD, and 19 adults with A...

Living with multiple sclerosis can be an uphill battle. The Life With MS Blog, however, has always been a two-way street. As I prepare for a 2.5-hour MRI this afternoon, I began to think about how much I’ve learned from all of you here in the community. For the first time, after comments earlier in the month, I thought about getting an anti-anxiety drug for the trip into the tunnel. I’m not actually going to take anything; I usually fall asleep in the thing! It was, however, just one of the many examples of times when I’ve learned from this wonderful group. Be they coping skills or side effects of drugs, experiences or opinions – you really are the best group of co-passengers anyone could wish for on the stupid-arsed ride we call MS! I do have to away here shortly, and apologize fo...

Boston Celtics basketball player Kendrick Perkins injured his knee during the NBA Finals against the Lakers when he landed awkwardly. Unable to weightbear, he left Game 6 not to return for the following pivotal Game 7. Based on his mechanism of injury and his physical examination, his trainer reported that he tore his medial collateral ligament (MCL) as well as the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). More amazingly, this was done without the help of a MRI. Since Perkins was unable to play the final game, there was no urgent medical need to expedite the test, as regardless of the result his season was already done. How do doctors know what’s wrong without X-ray vision or an imaging test? (Note that Perkins did get a X-ray, but X-rays generally don’t show ligament injuries.) Is it...

Latest science news with a spectral twist from my column on SpectroscopyNOW.com and more… X-ray fuel – X-ray absorption spectroscopy, XAS, has been used to probe the metal centre of an important enzyme that can oxidise methane, natural gas, to methanol. Turns out the metal is copper not iron as previously thought and the discovery could open up a route to novel catalysts for converting "waste" methane (either from landfill or oil well flare-off) into useful liquid methanol for processing into fuel or other more valuable products. Quantum boost for anticancer drugs – Quantum dots (QDs) have received significant attention in biological and biomedical fields. Now, UV-Vis spectroscopy and other techniques have been used to investigate their utility in enhancing the...

Lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) is a common cause of acute traumatic hemarthrosis in young active patients. However, dislocation is usually transient, and patients are frequently unaware that it has occurred. Characteristic MRI findings include joint effusion and contusion or osteochondral injury of the anterolateral portion of the lateral femoral condyle and medial patella. Injury to the medial stabilizers of the patella is also identified as disruption of the medial retinaculum at its patellar attachment or midsubstance.Reported by Teleradiology ProvidersFrom Sumer's Radiology Site http://www.sumerdoc.blogspot.com -The Top Radiology Magazine. Teleradiology Providers at www.teleradproviders.com Mail us at teleradproviders@gmail.com (Source: Sumer's Radiology Site)

Heber MacMahon, John H. M. Austin, Gordon Gamsu, Christian J. Herold, James R. Jett, David P. Naidich, Edward F. Patz Jr, Stephen J. Swensen
Nov 1, 2005; 237:395-400
Editorials