title: Changes of brain metabolite concentrations during maturation in different brain regions measured by chemical shift imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the effect of maturation on the regional distribution of brain metabolite concentrations using multivoxel chemical shift imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  From our pool of pediatric MRI examinations, we retrospectively selected patients showing a normal cerebral MRI scan or no pathologic signal abnormalities at the level of the two-dimensional 1H MRS-CSI sequence and an age-appropriate global neurological development, except for focal neurological deficits. Seventy-one patients (4.5 months-20 years) were identified. Using LC Model, spectra were evaluated from voxels in the white matter, caudate head, and corpus callosum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentration of total N-acetylaspartate increased in all regions during infancy and childhood except in the right caudate head where it remained constant. The concentration of total creatine decreased in the caudate nucleus and splenium and minimally in the frontal white matter and genu. It remained largely constant in the parietal white matter. The concentration of choline-containing compounds had the tendency to decrease in all regions except in the parietal white matter where it remained constant. The concentration of myoinositol decreased slightly in the splenium and right frontal white matter, remained constant on the left side and in the caudate nucleus, and rose slightly in the parietal white matter and genu.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSI determined metabolite concentrations in multiple cerebral regions during routine MRI. The obtained data will be helpful in future pediatric CSI measurements deciding whether the ratios of the main metabolites are within the range of normal values or have to be considered as probably pathologic.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, D-30625, Hannover, Germany. bueltmann.eva@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bültmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Radiological University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nägele
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, D-30625, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lanfermann
authors.affiliation: Section of Experimental MR of the CNS, Department of Neuroradiology, Radiological University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Klose
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brain maturation; Brain metabolite concentrations; Proton MR spectroscopy