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White matter spectroscopy in neuromyelitis optica: a case control study
Denis Bernardi Bichuetti1, René Leandro Magalhães Rivero, Enedina Maria Lobato de Oliveira
1Dept. of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Pedro de Toledo 377, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Journal of Neurology
|January 23, 2009
Summary
Normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients shows normal N-acetylaspartate/creatine (Naa/Cr) ratios, indicating white matter is not primarily affected in NMO.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) shows altered Naa/Cr ratios in normal appearing white matter (NAWM), indicating axonal loss and correlating with disability.
- Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) exhibits atypical brain lesions at aquaporin-4 sites, but NAWM Naa/Cr and its clinical associations remain unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Naa/Cr ratio in the NAWM of patients with NMO.
- To compare NAWM Naa/Cr ratios between NMO patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were utilized.
- 16 patients diagnosed with NMO were compared to age-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in NAWM Naa/Cr ratios was observed between NMO patients and healthy controls.
- NAWM Naa/Cr ratios did not differ between NMO patients with normal brain MRI and those with atypical brain lesions.
Conclusions:
- Normal appearing white matter in NMO patients exhibits normal Naa/Cr ratios.
- This finding supports the concept that white matter is not a primary site of pathology in NMO.
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