Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of normal appearing white matter in familial and sporadic multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess metabolite levels in normal-appearing white matter in sporadic and familial multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Using H-MRS and applying one voxel measure we assessed NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios in 26 patients with sporadic and in 25 with familial MS and compared them with healthy subjects.


RESULTS
In both MS groups NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratio were significantly lower than in healthy individuals whereas Cho/Cr ratio was higher in MS patients. In sporadic MS patients NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios were lower, although not significantly, than in familial cases. The Cho/Cr ratio was similar in both MS groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that subtle differences in H-MRS measures corresponding to axonal rather than to myelin pathology might occur in sporadic and familial MS.
Siger-Zajdel
Małgorzata
M
Dept. of Neurology, Medical University of Lodz, 22, Kopcińskiego Street, 90-153 Lodz, Poland.
Selmaj
Krzysztof W
KW
D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline