Improved MRI scans could aid in development of arthritis treatments
An
algorithm that analyses MRI images and automatically detects small changes in
knee joints over time could be used in the development of new treatments for
arthritis.
A team of engineers, radiologists and
physicians, led by the University of Cambridge, developed the algorithm, which
builds a three-dimensional model of an individual's knee joint in order to map
where arthritis is affecting the knee. It then automatically creates 'change
maps' which not only tell researchers whether there have been significant
changes during the study but allow them to locate exactly where these are.
There are few effective treatments for arthritis, and the technique could be a considerable boost to efforts to develop and monitor new therapies for the condition. The results are reported in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
There are few effective treatments for arthritis, and the technique could be a considerable boost to efforts to develop and monitor new therapies for the condition. The results are reported in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Osteoarthritis
is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. It develops when the articular
cartilage that coats the ends of bones and allows them to glide smoothly over
each other at joints, is worn down, resulting in painful, immobile joints.
Currently there is no recognised cure and the only definitive treatment is
surgery for artificial joint replacement.
Osteoarthritis is normally identified on an X-ray by a narrowing of the space between the bones of the joint due to a loss of cartilage. However, X-rays do not have enough sensitivity to detect subtle changes in the joint over time.
Osteoarthritis is normally identified on an X-ray by a narrowing of the space between the bones of the joint due to a loss of cartilage. However, X-rays do not have enough sensitivity to detect subtle changes in the joint over time.
"We don't have a good way of detecting
these tiny changes in the joint over time in order to see if treatments are
having any effect," said Dr James MacKay from Cambridge's Department of
Radiology, and the study's lead author. "In addition, if we're able to
detect the early signs of cartilage breakdown in joints, it will help us
understand the disease better, which could lead to new treatments for this
painful condition."
The current study builds on earlier work from the same team, who developed an algorithm to monitor subtle changes in arthritic joints in CT scans. Now, they are using similar techniques for MRI, which provides more complete information about the composition of tissue - not just information about the thickness of cartilage or bone.
The current study builds on earlier work from the same team, who developed an algorithm to monitor subtle changes in arthritic joints in CT scans. Now, they are using similar techniques for MRI, which provides more complete information about the composition of tissue - not just information about the thickness of cartilage or bone.
MRI is
already widely used to diagnose joint problems, including
arthritis, but
manually labelling each image is time-consuming,
and may be less accurate than
automated or semi-automated
techniques when detecting small changes over a
period of months
or years.