Related Experiment Videos
Proton MR spectroscopy of the brain in infants
C J Peden1, F M Cowan, D J Bryant
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, England.
Insights
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) reveals key brain metabolite changes in infants. Abnormal NAA/Cho ratios in infants with brain injury may aid diagnosis and monitoring of neurological development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Infant brain development is complex and susceptible to perinatal injury.
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique to study brain metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of proton MRS in assessing brain development and injury in infants.
- To compare proton MRS findings with phosphorus MRS in infants with brain lesions.
Main Methods:
- Proton MRS was performed on 17 infants (2 normal, 15 abnormal) aged 33 weeks postmenstrual age to 14 months.
- Metabolite ratios, including N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Cho) and NAA/creatine (Cr), were analyzed.
- Proton and phosphorus MRS were compared in seven infants with severe brain lesions.
Main Results:
- NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios increased with age, while Cho/Cr decreased in normal infants.
- Abnormal infants showed lower NAA/Cho ratios, particularly those with severe neurological damage.
- Proton MRS indicated persistent metabolic abnormalities in infants with brain lesions, even when phosphorus MRS normalized.
Conclusions:
- Proton MRS provides valuable insights into infant brain development and injury.
- Metabolite ratios from proton MRS can help diagnose and monitor neurological conditions in infants.
- Proton MRS findings complement phosphorus MRS, offering a more comprehensive assessment of brain health.
Abstract:
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to study the brain of 2 normal and 15 abnormal infants aged from 33 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) to 14 months postnatal age. Eleven of the infants were examined on at least two occasions. The principal clinical diagnoses in the abnormal infants were perinatal ischemic and hemorrhagic brain injury. All proton spectra demonstrated peaks that were assigned to N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline containing compounds (Cho), and creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr). The NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios increased with age, while the Cho/Cr ratio decreased with age in the majority of infants. The NAA/Cho ratio was generally lower in abnormal infants, but the difference was not apparent before 40 weeks (PMA). This ratio was lowest in infants with the severest degree of neurological abnormality. Proton and phosphorus MRS was compared in seven infants. In those with severe brain lesions, early phosphorus spectra were abnormal. On follow-up the phosphorus spectra became normal, but the proton spectra showed persistently low NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios. Proton MRS provides new information that may be complementary to phosphorus MRS in the diagnosis and monitoring of brain development in normal and neurologically damaged infants.