NeuroQuant®: Quantitative MRI Brain Analysis
Overview
NeuroQuant is an FDA-cleared, automated software program designed to analyze MRI brain scans and provide precise measurements of brain structure volumes. These measurements are compared against a normative database of healthy individuals matched for age and sex. The result is a report that can help clinicians evaluate and monitor conditions where changes in brain volume are relevant.
This quantitative approach supplements the visual assessment performed by a radiologist, adding objective data to support clinical decision-making. While NeuroQuant is not a diagnostic tool on its own, it can provide valuable context when interpreted alongside other imaging findings and clinical information.
How NeuroQuant Works
The process begins with a standard MRI brain scan. Once the scan is complete, the image data is sent to the NeuroQuant software for analysis. The program identifies and segments specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus, ventricles, cortical gray matter, and white matter.
The software calculates the volume of each structure and then compares those values to an age- and sex-matched normative database. This comparison highlights whether the volumes are within expected ranges, above, or below the norm. A report is generated that includes both numerical values and visual charts, which can be reviewed alongside the radiologist’s interpretation.
Clinical Applications
NeuroQuant is used as a complement to traditional MRI interpretation in a variety of clinical scenarios. These include:
- Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, where early detection of atrophy patterns may influence treatment planning.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS), to evaluate brain atrophy and track changes over time as part of disease monitoring.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), where quantifying changes in brain structure can help assess injury impact.
- Epilepsy, in identifying subtle structural abnormalities that may contribute to seizure activity.
- Other neurological conditions where volumetric analysis may aid in assessment.
Benefits in Clinical Practice
One of the main benefits of NeuroQuant is its ability to detect subtle changes in brain volume that may not be obvious on visual inspection alone. This can be particularly useful in early disease stages when changes are minimal but clinically important.
Standardized measurement protocols ensure consistency between scans, allowing for reliable comparison over time. This can help in tracking disease progression, evaluating treatment effectiveness, and supporting clinical research.
The generated reports are designed to be clear and easy to interpret, with both numerical data and visual aids. This format can improve communication between radiologists, referring physicians, and other members of the healthcare team.
Considerations
While NeuroQuant can add valuable information to an MRI brain study, results should always be interpreted within the broader clinical context. The measurements provided are not a substitute for a complete neurological evaluation and should be considered alongside the patient’s history, examination findings, and other diagnostic tests.
Not all Akumin imaging centers may have NeuroQuant available, and scanner compatibility should be confirmed before ordering the study. Additionally, the quality of the input MRI scan is essential, as artifacts or motion can impact measurement accuracy.