Modified MRI Spots Early Osteoarthritis

HealthDay, August, 2008 by Robert Preidt

A modified form of MRI may help diagnosis osteoarthritis at an early stage when it may be possible to prevent or reduce permanent joint damage, say U.S. researchers.

Current diagnostic methods don't detect osteoarthritis until it's in advanced stages. In this new approach, MRI is used to determine the concentration of a polymer called glycosaminogycan (GAG), a recognized biomarker for both osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. It's known that a low concentration of GAG is associated with the onset of osteoarthritis and other cartilage disorders.

The research was expected to be presented Aug. 20 at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society, in Philadelphia.

"Our methods have the potential of providing early warning signs for cartilage disorders...