title: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy: normal findings in the cerebellar hemisphere in childhood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cerebellar hemispheres (CER) are different from the supratentorial white and gray matter embryologically, in cytoarchitecture, and probably in metabolic activity. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) can provide a noninvasive biochemical analysis of this region.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study, with (1)H MRS, metabolite concentrations in CER as a function of age and compare these metabolic data with those of parietoccipital white matter (PO WM) in healthy children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using single-voxel (1)H MRS, we studied 37 volunteers (3-18 years) with normal MRI scans of the brain. (1)H MRS was performed using the PRESS technique in CER and PO WM. The NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/H(2)O, Cr/H(2)O, and Cho/H(2)O ratios were analyzed as a function of age. Metabolic data from these regions were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NAA/Cr ratio tended to increase with age in CER. Mean NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios were found to be lower in CER than in PO WM. Mean NAA/H(2)O, Cr/H(2)O, and Cho/H(2)O ratios in CER were higher than in the PO WM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data confirm the regional variations between CER and PO WM metabolite ratios, and demonstrate a tendency of age-dependent change of the NAA/Cr ratio in CER. The creatine concentration was significantly higher in the cerebellum than in the PO WM.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine of University of São Paulo, Department of Radiology, Alameda Sarutaiá, 136/43, Jardim Paulista, São Paulo, SP 011403-010, Brazil. mcosta@usp.br
authors.forename: Maria Olívia R
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Maria Teresa C
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lacerda
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Garcia Otaduy
authors.forename: Giovanni Guido
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Cerri
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Da Costa Leite
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011522:Protons; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003404:Creatinine; D002794:Choline