title: Magnetic resonance spectroscopic methods for the assessment of metabolic functions in the diseased brain.
abstract: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to detect and quantify multiple metabolites. This chapter will review some of the applications of MRS to the study of brain functions. Typically, (1)H-MRS can detect metabolites reflecting neuronal density and integrity, markers of energy metabolism or inflammation, as well as neurotransmitters. The complexity of the proton spectrum has however led to the development of other nuclei-based methods, such as (31)P- and (13)C-MRS, which offer a broader chemical shift range and therefore can provide more detailed information at the level of single metabolites. The versatility of MRS allows for a wide range of clinical applications, of which neurodegeneration is an interesting target for spectroscopy-based studies. In particular, MRS can identify patterns of altered brain chemistry in Alzheimer's patients and can help establish differential diagnosis in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Using MRS to follow less abundant neurotransmitters is currently out of reach and will most likely depend on the development of methods such as hyperpolarization that can increase the sensitivity of detection. In particular, dynamic nuclear polarization has opened up a new and exciting area of medical research, with developments that could greatly impact on the real-time monitoring of in vivo metabolic processes in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medical Science, Brain Repair and Imaging in Neural Systems (B.R.A.I.N.S), Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden, deniz.kirik@med.lu.se.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cuellar-Baena
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dahlberg
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: In't Zandt
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Denisov
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kirik
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes; D011522:Protons; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate