Proton MR spectroscopy in idiopathic spasmodic torticollis.
Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), localised to the basal ganglia, was used to determine changes in metabolite levels in idiopathic spasmodic torticollis (IST). We examined nine patients and 13 healthy subjects. The mean values (+/- SD) of peak area ratios were: IST: N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA)/choline-containing compounds (Cho) 1.79 +/- 0.39, NAA/creatine and phosphocreatine compounds (Cr) 1.61 +/- 0.38, Cho/Cr 0.91 +/- 0.19; controls: NAA/Cho 2.07 +/- 0.35, NAA/ Cr 1.82 +/- 0.31, Cho/Cr 0.89 +/- 0.12. Statistical analysis showed that NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr were significantly lower in patients than in controls (P = 0.0304 and 0.0431, respectively). These results indicate a reduction in NAA, and suggest striatal involvement in the pathogenesis IST.
Federico
F
F
Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Bari, Italy. francescofederico@neurol.uniba.it
Lucivero
V
V
Simone
I L
IL
Defazio
G
G
De Salvia
R
R
Mezzapesa
D M
DM
Petruzzellis
M
M
Tortorella
C
C
Livrea
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*
D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline