PURPOSE: To determine the contribution of MR spectroscopy in the assessment of childhood neurodegenerative disease. METHODS: Fifty-one subjects (7 weeks to 17 years of age), 22 with either hereditary (n = 16) or acquired (n = 6) neurodegenerative disorders and 29 age-matched control subjects, were studied with combined proton MR spectroscopy and MR imaging. Single-voxel (2.0-8.0 cc) MR spectra were acquired at 1.5 T, with either short-echo-stimulated echoes and/or long-echo spin echoes. RESULTS: MR spectra exhibited signals from n-acetyl-, creatine-, and choline-containing compounds, neurotransmitters (glutamate), intracellular mediators (inositols), and glycolytic products (lactate). Abnormal MR spectra in neurodegenerative disorders reflected: demyelination, neuronal loss, and gliosis (increased mobile lipid presence and reduction of n-acetylaspartate to choline); metabolic acidosis (lactate accumulation); and neurotransmitter neurotoxicity (increased glutamate, glutamine, and inositols). CONCLUSION: Proton MR spectroscopy may complement MR imaging in diagnostic assessment and therapeutic monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders.
PURPOSE: To determine the contribution of MR spectroscopy in the assessment of childhood neurodegenerative disease. METHODS: Fifty-one subjects (7 weeks to 17 years of age), 22 with either hereditary (n = 16) or acquired (n = 6) neurodegenerative disorders and 29 age-matched control subjects, were studied with combined proton MR spectroscopy and MR imaging. Single-voxel (2.0-8.0 cc) MR spectra were acquired at 1.5 T, with either short-echo-stimulated echoes and/or long-echo spin echoes. RESULTS: MR spectra exhibited signals from n-acetyl-, creatine-, and choline-containing compounds, neurotransmitters (glutamate), intracellular mediators (inositols), and glycolytic products (lactate). Abnormal MR spectra in neurodegenerative disorders reflected: demyelination, neuronal loss, and gliosis (increased mobile lipid presence and reduction of n-acetylaspartate to choline); metabolic acidosis (lactate accumulation); and neurotransmitter neurotoxicity (increased glutamate, glutamine, and inositols). CONCLUSION: Proton MR spectroscopy may complement MR imaging in diagnostic assessment and therapeutic monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders.
Authors: Michèl A A P Willemsen; Marinette Van Der Graaf; Marjo S Van Der Knaap; Arend Heerschap; Peter H M F Van Domburg; Fons J M Gabreëls; Jan J Rotteveel Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2004-04 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: G Tedeschi; S Bonavita; N W Barton; A Betolino; J A Frank; N J Patronas; J R Alger; R Schiffmann Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 1998-07 Impact factor: 10.154