MRI Can Be A Tool in The Diagnosis, Staging and Treatment Of Diabetes

Filed in archive Developments , Notable , Research on August 7, 2009

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A study performed at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston suggests that a noninvasive imaging (MRI) may aid physicians in the early diagnosis, staging and treatment of diabetes.

According to Anna Moore, MD - lead author of the study:

"With noninvasive MRI we have the ability to evaluate beta cell mass, a major factor of insulin secretion that is significantly reduced in type two diabetes and almost gone in type one. We are also able to detect inflammation of the pancreas and vascular changes associated with type one and type two diabetes. This opens a huge area that is closed right now.

Knowing the number of functional beta cells left would allow physicians to develop the most appropriate treatment plans for their patients. It would also allow them to respond, change or manipulate those treatment plans at any time.

Noninvasive MRI could no doubt tremendously assist in achieving insulin independence in patients with diabetes."

Appearing in the August issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology, the said study is a first of its kind that applied a noninvasive imaging technique in diabetes research.