Sodium Concentration and Hippocampus Atrophy - Case Study Example

The concentration of sodium (Na+) ions in the intracellular and extracellular space of tissues was the major identifier of hippocampus atrophy (with dead neurons). According to this case, brain tissues showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) had dead neurons and appear smaller than usual by expansion of the extracellular space and shrinkage of intracellular space.

2. Expected Sodium Concentration Changes
The change of sodium concentration in the hippocampus region is used to differentiate healthy tissues from diseased ones in that unhealthy tissues have shrunk. It follows then that the hippocampus volume or processes are directly correlated with sodium concentration within and without the extracellular and intracellular space. Decreased volume of the hippocampus can occur when neurons inside have died or are not functioning at their optimum levels. One expected change or difference is a difference in the concentration of sodium ions in extracellular space and intracellular space commonly called a gradient difference. This differential concentration of sodium gradient normally occurs due to defects of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump which may be blocked. Brain tissues afflicted by AD usually have a smaller volume than normal ones and are identified by extracellular space that is expanded as well as shrinkage of the intracellular space.

3. Additional Information from Outside Sources
Journal Article: Tissue Sodium Concentration in Human Brain Tumors as Measured with 23Na MR Imaging. Sourced from Radiology Journal
Journal article: Brain tissue sodium concentration in multiple sclerosis: a sodium imaging study at 3 teslas. Sourced from National Center for Biotechnology Information database
Journal Article: Na+ and K+ ion imbalances in Alzheimer's disease. Sourced from National Center for Biotechnology Information database
Journal article: Distribution of Brain Sodium Accumulation Correlates with Disability in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-sectional 23Na MR Imaging Study. Sourced from Radiology Journal

4. Outside Sources Contribution to the Case
The source (Ouwerkerk, Ronald, et al.) asserts that the concentration gradient difference of Na in tissues can be used to differentiate healthy tissues from affected ones. Another source (Inglese, M., et al.) has findings that mechanisms of injury can be diagnosed through Na magnetic imaging. The third source (Vitvitsky V.M.) thinks that the failure of previous research come up with findings on cell homeostasis can be a basis for understanding the development and progression of AD. Finally, the last source (Zaaraoui, Wafaa, et al.) comes up with the finding that tissue injury can be diagnosed with NA imaging.

5. Case Study Finding that is Consistent with Other Sources
All the sources normally use differential concentration gradients of sodium in the intracellular space and extracellular space to come up with their findings. In this manner, atrophic tissues are identified from healthy ones after imaging.

6. Inconclusive information about Sodium Concentration Changes
Although using differential concentration to assay for atrophic tissues and organs can be very effective, it can also give wrong misdiagnosis especially when the movement of sodium ions is impeded by other factors. For example, there can be sodium ions leakage due to a defective Na+K+ ATPase pump.
7. Resolution of the Case
Sodium imaging can be a helpful technique for assaying brain tissue damage and other illnesses through differential concentrations of sodium ions in tissues.
8. Major Outcome of the Case

It is clinically possible to identify AD in its early stages and arrest its progression through sodium imaging. Given the underlying basis through which MRI functions, there is a remote connection between the findings of this article and the underlying principles of magnetic resonance. In matters of hippocampus volume and its functions, the findings suggest that the concentration of sodium ions in those regions correlates with the functions of the hippocampus. In this regard, the concentration of sodium in the extracellular and intracellular space may therefore be related to other problems like brain tumors and not necessarily AD. I would give this study a score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
9. Other information to resolve this case

One other important piece of information that would be helpful to resolve this case is outside interference that occurs during sodium imaging and how it can effectively be handled. It is also important to account for the changes in sodium concentration in the hippocampus region because sometimes the influx of the ions may be due to transverse relaxation periods in AD-affected tissues. The signal strength of the MRI using sodium can be affected by different situations and therefore it is important to identify outside interference so that correct results can get. Read More