title: Proton MR spectroscopic imaging in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: We studied 24 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H-MRSI) to assess the neurochemical pathology of the white-matter lesions (WML) and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). Our 1H-MRSI technique allowed simultaneous measurement of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr) signal intensities from four 15-mm slices divided into 0.84 ml single-volume elements. In WML we found significantly lower NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho ratios and a significantly higher Cho/Cr ratio than in NAWM or control white matter. In NAWM, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were significantly lower than in control white matter. 1H-MRSI was compatible with damage to myelin in WML, and with axonal damage and/or dysfunction in WML and NAWM. These findings extend data on involvement of NAWM in MS beyond the abnormalities visible on MRI.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Neurologiche, Seconda Università di Napoli, Italy. gioacchino.tedeschi@unina2.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tedeschi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonavita
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Richert
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Duyn
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*