Imaging results also demonstrated marked cerebellar atrophy, which is a recognized feature of CACNA1A-related disorders.¹³ Although the timing and progression of this abnormality are uncertain because UL last underwent brain imaging in infancy, the need for structured evaluation throughout development is clear. We also noted asymmetric fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal in the left mesial temporal lobe, which was believed to be most consistent with postictal edema given the known overlap between CACNA1A channelopathies and seizure susceptibility.

This case highlights the diagnostic uncertainty of CACNA1A-related hemiplegic migraine and emphasizes the need for early exclusion of stroke and seizure, in addition to timely escalation of preventive therapy when symptoms persist beyond their typical timeframes. The clinical response to an increased acetazolamide dose, initiation of verapamil, and corticosteroids for cerebral edema provides additional support for current recommendations in a field where high-quality evidence remains limited.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of medicine’s most powerful diagnostic tools. But certain tissues deep inside the body—including brain regions and delicate structures of the eye and orbit that are of particular relevance for ophthalmology—are difficult to image clearly. The problem is not the scanner itself, but the hardware that sends and receives radio signals.

Now, researchers led by Nandita Saha, a doctoral student in the Experimental Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance lab of Professor Thoralf Niendorf at the Max Delbrück Center have developed an advanced materials-based MRI antenna that overcomes these limitations—delivering enhanced images more quickly and that can be used in existing MRI machines. The research was published in Advanced Materials.

Niendorf and his team worked closely with researchers at Rostock University Medical Center, combining expertise in MRI physics with clinical ophthalmology and translational imaging. The Rostock team is also supporting clinical validation of the technology.