If your doctor has ordered a NeuroQuant MRI, it’s likely because they need a more detailed evaluation of your brain to give them a clearer understanding of your brain health.
A NeuroQuant MRI is a specialized type of MRI scan that can take detailed images of the brain, but unlike a normal MRI scan, a NeuroQuant MRI can also measure your brain’s different parts.
A NeuroQuant MRI then compares your brain’s measurements to a database of healthy brains, helping detect early signs of conditions like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), or brain atrophy.
We’ll show you how a NeuroQuant MRI scan is different from a regular MRI scan, why providers recommend NeuroQuant, how it can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions, and how you can understand your NeuroQuant results. Let’s take a closer look.
How a NeuroQuant MRI Differs from a Regular MRI
A regular MRI uses a strong magnet and radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain’s structure. It is noninvasive, painless, and does not use radiation. These images help doctors evaluate abnormalities, injuries, or diseases affecting the brain.
A NeuroQuant MRI follows the same imaging process but adds an advanced software analysis. For a NeuroQuant MRI, these images are then sent to a computer with software that measures the volume of different brain regions and compares them to normative data from a database of individuals with similar age, gender, and cranial volume. This helps identify size abnormalities that could indicate neurodegenerative conditions or brain atrophy.
How can a NeuroQuant MRI provide more precise measurements of my brain than a regular MRI?
NeuroQuant MRI utilizes advanced software to provide precise, quantifiable measurements of brain structures. It assigns numeric values to different regions, measuring their exact size to assess potential volume loss or changes over time.
While all MRI scans at American Health Imaging are interpreted by highly trained, sub-specialized radiologists, NeuroQuant provides a more objective, data-driven analysis than a conventional MRI can.
Why Healthcare Providers Recommend a NeuroQuant MRI
Your healthcare provider may suggest a NeuroQuant MRI if your symptoms indicate potential structural changes in the brain. This scan provides precise, objective measurements that can help diagnose conditions at an earlier stage than a conventional MRI.
NeuroQuant MRI is particularly useful for detecting subtle changes in brain volume that might not be apparent on a standard MRI. For instance, it can measure small losses in brain volume, which may be early indicators of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological disorders. These measurements are assigned numerical values, making it easier to track brain changes over time.
Who Might Need a NeuroQuant MRI?
A NeuroQuant MRI may be recommended for individuals experiencing cognitive changes that affect daily life. Shifts in abilities and behaviors are often tied to changes in the brain, which can be reflected in changes in brain volume.
Candidates for a NeuroQuant MRI may include:
- Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- Patients with progressing dementia or neurodegenerative diseases
- People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
- Individuals recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Patients with other conditions where brain volume assessment is necessary
How a NeuroQuant MRI Helps Diagnose and Monitor Neurological Conditions
By measuring and tracking brain volume, a NeuroQuant MRI provides valuable insights into brain health. Analyzing specific areas of the brain helps doctors detect patterns of shrinkage that may be linked to conditions Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or other forms of dementia.
Additionally, the scan can establish a baseline for future comparisons, allowing healthcare providers to monitor brain changes over time. If certain areas of the brain show volume loss, providers may recommend early interventions to manage or slow disease progression.
What role does a NeuroQuant MRI play in detecting early-stage neurological conditions?
The precise measurements found with a NeuroQuant MRI can help identify neurological conditions in their earlier stages, before symptoms appear. Early detection of specific conditions is based on the location of volume loss in the brain.
Understanding Your NeuroQuant MRI Results
Your NeuroQuant MRI results assign numerical values to different parts of your brain based on a reference database. These numbers help doctors determine whether your brain structures are within a normal range or if there are any concerning abnormalities.
How long will it take to get my NeuroQuant results? Who analyzes my results?
Results from a NeuroQuant MRI are typically processed within minutes. A sub-specialized radiologist interprets the findings and sends a detailed report to your healthcare provider. Once your healthcare provider receives the report, their office will reach out to you to discuss the results and suggest a follow-up. It should take about a week for your results to be ready.
What kind of information will my NeuroQuant MRI results offer my provider?
When reviewing your results, you may see color-coded charts or percentile rankings, which indicate how your brain structures compare to others in your demographic. It’s important to remember that these results do not provide a diagnosis on their own. Your doctor will help interpret the findings in the context of your overall health and symptoms.
Your NeuroQuant MRI results assign numbers to different parts of your brain based on a database. These numbers are compared to the data of typical brain sizes for people like you. Based on the data, if any areas look different than expected, your doctor may want to monitor them more closely.
The NeuroQuant numbers will help your provider know whether additional information is needed to help shape an accurate diagnosis. Your provider will be able to suggest any potential interventions and will recommend a course of treatment as needed.
How to schedule an appointment with us
Reach out to us at American Health Imaging, and we’ll help you schedule an appointment at an imaging center near you, today.
We’re here to help you get the answers you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a regular MRI scan capture images of the brain?
A: A regular MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of brain structures, but it does not measure volume changes or analyze brain regions in depth.
Q: What makes a NeuroQuant MRI different from a regular MRI?
A: A NeuroQuant MRI not only captures brain images but also uses advanced software to measure and compare your brain volume to a database. This comparison helps detect volume changes that a standard MRI might miss.
Q: Who might benefit from getting a NeuroQuant MRI scan?
A: Individuals with memory concerns, neurological conditions, or those at risk for cognitive decline may benefit from a NeuroQuant MRI for more precise brain analysis.
Q: How does a NeuroQuant MRI provide more detailed brain analysis?
A: NeuroQuant MRI quantifies brain structure sizes, compares them to a database of healthy individuals, and helps detect abnormalities that may not be visible in traditional MRI scans.
Q: What conditions can a NeuroQuant MRI help detect that a regular MRI might not?
A: NeuroQuant MRI can identify early signs of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury by tracking subtle brain volume changes over time.
Q: How does a NeuroQuant MRI assist in diagnosing and monitoring neurological conditions?
A: By measuring brain volume and tracking changes over time, NeuroQuant MRI helps doctors diagnose, monitor progression, and assess the effectiveness of treatments for neurological disorders.
Q: How long does it take to receive my NeuroQuant MRI results, and who interprets them?
A: Results are typically available within a week, and are analyzed by a radiologist, who compares your results to established brain-volume information.
Q: What should I expect when reviewing my NeuroQuant MRI results?
A: Your results will include precise measurements of different brain regions, which your doctor will interpret to assess any changes or abnormalities relevant to your health.