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| | | ![]() MRI May Help Physicians Diagnose, Stage, and Treat Diabetes LEESBURG, Va -- August 5, 2009 -- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may aid physicians in the early diagnosis, staging, and treatment of diabetes, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. This is the first study of its kind to apply noninvasive imaging techniques to diabetes research. "With noninvasive MRI we have the ability to evaluate beta cell mass, a major factor of insulin secretion that is significantly reduced in type 2 diabetes and almost gone in type 1," said lead author Anna Moore, MD, Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. "We are also able to detect inflammation of the pancreas and vascular changes associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This opens a huge area that is closed right now," said Dr. Moore. "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," she said. "Noninvasive MRI could no doubt tremendously assist in achieving insulin independence in patients with diabetes," said Dr. Moore. SOURCE: American Roentgen Ray Society
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