Magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a measure of brain damage in multiple sclerosis.
Recent MR studies have emphasised the importance of neuronal and axonal damage in multiple sclerosis. In this respect, proton MR spectroscopy (by monitoring levels of N-acetylaspartate, a putative marker of axonal integrity) has been particularly illuminating by showing indirect evidence of neurodegeneration in both lesional and non-lesional brain tissues from the earliest stages of the disease. The importance of these changes to patients' clinical disability argues for the primary role of neuronal pathology in the pathogenesis of the disease.
De Stefano
Nicola
N
Neurometabolic Unit, Department of Neurological and Behavioral Sciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. destefano@unisi.it
Bartolozzi
Maria L
ML
Guidi
Leonello
L
Stromillo
Maria L
ML
Federico
Antonio
A
D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D001224:Aspartic Acid; D003401:Creatine