Areas of abnormal signal intensity have been noted on MR brain scans in CJD patients, and in some cases this can assist in the diagnosis. However, the appearances are often subtle. Visual judgement can be difficult, and some patients do not appear to show any abnormality. To clarify the role of MR scanning in CJD diagnosis and management, we are carrying out a quantitative study in which intensity MR abnormalities in different types of CJD and in control patients are being compared.

In addition to the analysis of MR and clinical data in the living patient, we are also studying a series of cases where detailed pathological examination has been carried out after death. We are using computer techniques to localise the post-mortem pathological changes, and to map these back to the in vivo scans. This will allow us to clarify the detailed pathology of the abnormality which caused the MR signal changes.

The project (Quantitative Analysis of MR Scans in CJD - Qamric) involves a collaboration between neurologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, computer scientists and physicists from leading European centres and is funded by the EU.

We would be very grateful for your assistance in allowing us to analyse the MR scans of your patients with suspected or definite CJD. We are interested in patients who are suspected of having with any type of CJD, whom you may have scanned previously or are considering scanning in the future.. We are studying both hardcopy of the scans, printed in the usual way on film, and also the digital data, which are stored electronically on disk or tape by the computer which controls the MR scanner.

1. Advice about the best MR protocols to use. These protocols will increase the potential diagnostic value of the scans and will help us to collect more standardised data.
2. Funding for your reasonable expenses (postage; technical or administrative time involved in preparing and transmitting scans; cost of digital media (disk or tape); costs of MR scans themselves if additional expenses are incurred as a result of the collaboration)
3. Acknowledgement of your contribution in our publications

Please contact one of the following for further information:

Thank you, in anticipation of your assistance.

Alan Colchester, Guy's Hospital and University of Kent

Richard Knight, UK National CJD Surveillance Unit, Edinburgh