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1H MR spectroscopy of the brain in multiple sclerosis subtypes with analysis of the metabolite concentrations in gray and white matter: initial findings

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Abstract

Many MR spectroscopy (MRS) studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) have focussed on metabolism in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and in white matter lesions (WML). In this study, eight patients suffering from primary or secondary progressive MS (PPMS/SPMS) and seven patients with relapsing/remitting MS (RRMS) were examined by 1H-MRS to assess metabolite levels in gray matter (GM) as well. 1H-MRS chemical-shift imaging of a cerebral volume of interest of 8×8×2 cm3 above the lateral ventricles revealed differences between the metabolite concentrations in the three groups varying from almost significant [NAWM, choline (cho); P=0.0547] to highly significant [GM, N-acetylaspartate (NAA); P=0.0003]. In PPMS/SPMS patients, the decreases in choline, creatine (Cr) and N-acetylaspartate compared with six healthy controls were significant in GM and to a lesser extent, in NAWM. No significant differences in metabolite concentrations were found between RRMS and controls. In WML, all metabolites were reduced compared with white matter in controls (Cho: P=0.0020; Cr and NAA: P<0.0001, both). In conclusion, the concentrations of Cho, Cr and NAA are reduced in PPMS/SPMS patients, especially in GM and in WML. Despite contrary observations in previous studies, increases in the concentrations of Cr and/or Cho were not observed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. P. Kappert and Mr. J. H. Potze from the Groningen University Medical Center Radiology Department for participating in the data acquisition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

    Paul E. Sijens & Matthijs Oudkerk

  2. Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713, GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

    Jop P. Mostert & Jacques De Keyser

  3. Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700, RB Groningen, The Netherlands

    Paul E. Sijens

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  1. Paul E. Sijens
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  2. Jop P. Mostert
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  3. Matthijs Oudkerk
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  4. Jacques De Keyser
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Correspondence to Paul E. Sijens.

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Sijens, P.E., Mostert, J.P., Oudkerk, M. et al. 1H MR spectroscopy of the brain in multiple sclerosis subtypes with analysis of the metabolite concentrations in gray and white matter: initial findings. Eur Radiol 16, 489–495 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-005-2839-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-005-2839-1

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