Post-surgical changes in brain metabolism detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in normal pressure hydrocephalus: results of a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Adult normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is one of the few potentially treatable causes of dementia. Some morphological and functional abnormalities attributed to hydrocephalus improve following treatment.


OBJECTIVE
We focused on analysis of changes in cerebral metabolites using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) after NPH treatment, and its clinical and cognitive correlation.


METHODS
1H-MRS, neuropsychological and clinical status examinations were performed before and 6 months after shunting in 12 adults with idiopathic NPH. We obtained N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), myoinositol (MI) and creatine (Cr) values.


RESULTS
After surgery, NAA/Cr was significantly increased. Moreover, NAA/Cr values were related to cognitive deterioration.


CONCLUSIONS
MRS could be a marker of neuronal dysfunction in NPH.
del Mar Matarín
María
M
Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Pueyo
Roser
R
Poca
María Antonia
MA
Falcón
Carles
C
Mataró
María
M
Bargalló
Núria
N
Sahuquillo
Juan
J
Junqué
Carme
C
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011522:Protons
D015415:Biomarkers; D011522:Protons