Yes, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) can be seen on a brain MRI. ALS is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movements. A brain MRI can be used to detect signs of ALS, such as the presence of white matter lesions, which are areas of damage to the protective myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells. In addition, the MRI can also show changes in the brain's structure that are associated with the disease, such as the thinning of the cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain, and the enlargement of the ventricles, which are the fluid-filled cavities within the brain. Other signs that may be visible on a brain MRI include changes in the size and shape of the brain stem, which is the part of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord, as well as changes in the size and shape of the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement.
These signs of ALS on a brain MRI can be useful for making a diagnosis, as well as monitoring the progression of the disease. In addition, the MRI can also be used to detect other neurological conditions that may be causing the symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis or a brain tumor.