This sounds like a great way to get an objective representation of your stroke damage. So ask your doctor to map this to your stroke protocol. And then use it to map actual changes in your brain as you recover.
Rockland Technimed Ltd. Presents Oxy-17® Metabolic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology at 2012 Brain Energy Metabolism and Blood Flow Gordon Research Conference
Rockland Technimed Ltd., a pioneer in developing metabolic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) media, today presented the latest research on the potential clinical applications of brain MRI performed with its patented imaging medium, Oxy-17®. The presentation highlighted the use of Oxy-17® MRI to measure two key indicators of cerebral tissue function: cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) and oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). OEF is essential to the assessment of stroke risk (ischemic infarction risk) and the diagnosis and management of chronic cerebral steno-occlusive disease. The presentation was given at the 5th Gordon Research Conference on Brain Energy Metabolism and Blood Flow at Colby College in Waterville, Maine."As a leading player in advancing the visualization and quantification of brain metabolism and function, we are pleased to renew our commitment to participate in and support the Gordon Research Conference," said Pradeep M. Gupte, chairman and CEO of Rockland Technimed, Ltd. "With its ability to directly measure brain oxygen metabolism, enable clinicians to localize and assess tissue viability during acute ischemic injury, and predict the chronic risk of ischemic injury with vascular stenosis, Oxy-17® could become a critical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders."
The presentation titled "Potential Clinical Applications of Brain 17O MRI CMRO2 and OEF" was given by Robert DeLaPaz, M.D., a board member of Rockland Technimed Ltd., and professor of radiology and neuroradiology at Columbia University - New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In addition to being widely known for his work in applications of functional MRI to analyze brain disorders and brain rehabilitation, Dr. DeLaPaz also served as the lead author on the American College of Radiology (ACR) expert panel on neurologic imaging to develop the appropriateness criteria for cerebrovascular disease.
"Today's acute stroke management model is moving towards rapidly identifying and targeting tissue on the verge of infarction, or death, to minimize irreversible damage. In addition, the reliable prediction of stroke risk with cerebrovascular stenosis is the holy grail of stroke prevention," said Dr. DeLaPaz. "Our research suggests that by providing direct measurements of the critical components of oxygen metabolism, an Oxy-17® MRI could pinpoint ailing yet viable tissue in the acute phase, better predict the risk of stroke in chronic stenosis, and potentially improve treatment outcomes and prevent stroke."
About Oxy-17®Oxy-17® is the only non-radioactive imaging medium to measure real-time oxygen metabolism, oxygen extraction fraction and molecular oxygen consumption – key indicators of cell health and tissue viability. Using an unaltered clinical MRI scanner, Oxy-17® enables early detection of hypoxia (lack of available oxygen) in cardiac and cerebral tissue, potentially improving treatment outcomes in patients with suspected heart attack or stroke. Oxy-17® technology has potentially vast clinical applications including tracking tumor response to radiation or chemotherapy, epilepsy loci mapping, and providing surrogate endpoints in drug discovery research.
