Cerebral proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of a patient with giant axonal neuropathy.

Magnetic resonance imaging of a girl with giant axonal neuropathy revealed a progressive white matter disease. In close agreement with histopathological features reported previously, localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 9 and 12 years of age indicated a specific damage or loss of axons (reduced N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate) accompanied by acute demyelination (elevated choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, and lactate) in white matter as well as a generalized proliferation of glial cells (elevated choline-containing compounds and myo-inositol) in both gray and white matter.