title: N-acetylaspartate and epilepsy.
abstract: Proton magnetic resonance spectra include signals from N-acetylaspartate, creatine + phosphocreatine, and choline-containing compounds. Abnormalities in these signals can be used in the assessment of patients with intractable epilepsy. In particular, they provide a means of identifying metabolic abnormalities within the temporal lobes, detecting bilateral and diffuse pathology, and aiding lateralization of the seizure focus. The pathology demonstrated on MRS can also be related to cognitive dysfunction.
authors: Radiology and Physics Unit, Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
authors: D G
authors: DG
authors: Gadian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010725:Phosphocreatine; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline