title: Cognitive dysfunction lateralizes with NAA in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging to evaluate axonal integrity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Patient status in MS is frequently assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, which emphasizes ambulation but underestimates the contribution of cognitive factors. Yet, cognitive functions of memory and processing are known to be impaired in MS. We used quantitative MR spectroscopy to determine this relation between cognitive function and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels. We find a significant correlation (r = .63, p < .005) for the left periventricular (PV) NAA concentrations with performance on the verbal Selective Reminding Test. Right PVNAA was significantly (p < .02) correlated with the Tower of Hanoi performance, with r = .58.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Krupp
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Coyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate