MRI May Help to Diagnose, Stage, and Treat Diabetes

Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may aid clinicians in the early diagnosis, staging, and treatment of diabetes.

Research performed at two Boston, MA, USA-based institutions, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 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 II diabetes and almost gone in type I,” said Anna Moore, M.D., lead author of the study. "We are also able to detect inflammation of the pancreas and vascular changes associated with type I and type II 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.”

This study was published in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

"Noninvasive MRI could no doubt tremendously assist in achieving insulin independence in patients with diabetes,” concluded Dr. Moore.

Related Links:
Massachusetts General Hospital
Harvard Medical School