title: Multicentre proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging of primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multicentre baseline proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic data on primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) patients are acquired and analysed, using automatic analysis software. The metabolite ratios did not differ from centre to centre. The average N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) ratio in PPMS was significantly lower compared to normal controls. No significant differences were observed in this ratio between lesion-containing regions (LCR) and normal-appearing tissues (NAT). Strong lipid resonances, even in the absence of lesions, are observed in the both grey and white matter in these patients. These observations suggest extensive diffuse and/or microscopic pathology in PPMS. No significant correlation between any of the metabolite ratios and the Extended Disability Scale Score (EDSS) or with other MR measures such as lesion burden and enhancement volumes is observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin, Room 6.172, Houston, TX 77030, USA. ponnada.a.narayana@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Ponnada A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Narayana
authors.forename: Jerry S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
authors.forename: Sajja B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Renjie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Meghana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons