Metabolite Profile in Pyramidal Tracts after Ischemic Brain Stroke Assessed by 1H MRS. A Multicenter Study

The magnitude of the motor deficit in patients with stroke depends not only on the size and location of the destroyed brain tissue, but also on axonal injury in the descending motor pathways which appears after stroke. After cerebral ischemia, there are no visible abnormalities in conventional MRI in the intact pyramidal tracts despite the process of neuronal destruction by Wallerian degeneration. Conventional MRI is not a sensitive test for Wallerian degeneration in the acute or subacute time period as it shows no changes within the first four weeks. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used for better quantification of the extent or severity of fibre damage by evaluating metabolite alterations in normal-appearing corticospinal and corticopontal tracts. This study assessed the role of 1H MRS in the detection of changes in cerebral metabolite levels in pyramidal tracts after cortical/ subcortical infarction and to compare metabolite alterations to clinical outcome (assessed by Barthel index, Scandinavian Stroke Scale). The study included 31 patients who had suffered an ischemic cortical/subcortical stroke involving the motor cortex or the descending fibers. Ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, lip/Cr and Lac/Cr from internal capsules and cerebral peduncles were measured and compared with clinical status assessed by Barthel index and Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS). The ratio of NAA/Cr was significantly decreased (p<0.001) in the normal-appearing ipsilateral internal capsule in comparison with the control group. Cho/Cr and lac/Cr ratios were increased compared to the control group (p=0.019). Decrease of NAA/Cr ratio correlated with clinical status assessed by Barthel index and there was a correlation between clinical improvement (assessed by SSS) and lac/Cr ratio. Tissue metabolite concentrations distant from the infarcted region correlated with the clinical course and had predictive value. Proton MRS is very useful tool for evaluating major changes in metabolite levels in pyramidal tracts after brain stroke.