Thursday, February 17, 2011

MRI and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis awareness can take many paths including ‘trivia’ and Facebook.  

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society--Central Pennsylvania Chapter - TUESDAY TRIVIA: What year was the first MRI brain scan performed? Where was it performed?
                      
XXXX I remember reading somewhere that the first MRI on a human was done in 1977 and took over 5 hours to get one picture. Not sure where or if it was done on the brain. May have to research that.

YYYY July 3 1977


XXXX I had the same date but wasnt sure if it was a brain MRI and had no idea where it was done. That's a tricky one.

Patrick Leer - No idea but Patti's first MRI was in 1985 and medical insurance would NOT pay because in those days it was not considered a diagnostic tool for MS even though the results led to the DX. Not only did we get a 'probable' MS DX but an out of pocket bill for, if memory serves me correct, around $850 in those days.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society--Central Pennsylvania Chapter - This was a bit of a trick question! 1977 was the year the first MRI was ever done. However, the first MRI scans of people with MS were performed in 1981 by Dr. I R Young, in England. By 1984, it became apparent that MRI could actually see MS attacks within the brain, including many which did not cause any symptoms.


By 1988 sequential MRI scans changed the entire concept of MS by showing that it is a constant, ongoing disease even though relapses with symptoms may appear only sporadically.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society--Central Pennsylvania Chapter Patrick - we've come quite a long way, huh?

Patrick Leer Thank you all this was an interesting perspective on timetable of medical technology and MS.

Previous "Tuesday Trivia" have included 'name one of the many symptoms associated with MS', 'name the first oral med used to treat relapsing MS approved by FDA' ... drop on in Tuesdays on Facebook at NMSS Central Penn.

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick Leer 
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3 comments:

  1. LisaThursday, February 17, 2011 at 3:57:00 PM EST

    Patrick, thank you so much for all that you have done and for all that you are doing to keep us all informed about multiple sclerosis.
    Lisa

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  2. MuffieThursday, February 17, 2011 at 4:49:00 PM EST

    Very interesting. I'll have to check it out -- I love trivia. And I did not realize MRIs went back to the 70s.
    Peace,
    Muff

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  3. bettyThursday, February 17, 2011 at 11:44:00 PM EST

    If it was true that it took five hours to get a picture, I'm hoping the patient wasn't on the table that long! Wow!! So interesting, Patrick. Thanks for sharing this with us. We "forget" how much technology has advanced in a few "short" years. What is considered state of the art now was denied by the insurance company in 1985, so very fascinating!!

    have a great weekend!

    betty

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