Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
11:02
Identification and Quantification of Deranged Metabolites in Critically Ill Patients Using NMR-Based Metabolomics
Published on: November 29, 2024
Metabolic Derangement and Vitamin Deficiencies
Diego Cardoso Fragoso1, Artemis Dalali do Nascimento Alves2, Leandro Tavares Lucato2
1Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Neuroimaging Clinics of North America
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Metabolic derangements and vitamin deficiencies can cause acute encephalopathy. Recognizing specific neuroimaging patterns aids in timely diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute encephalopathy has potentially reversible causes, including metabolic derangements and vitamin deficiencies.
- These conditions significantly impact neurological function and require accurate diagnosis for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the pathophysiology and neuroimaging features of potentially reversible acute encephalopathic syndromes.
- To highlight the role of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing and monitoring these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature focusing on metabolic disorders and vitamin deficiencies causing acute encephalopathy.
- Emphasis on characteristic neuroimaging findings, particularly from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
Main Results:
- Identified key metabolic derangements including glucose, ammonia, bilirubin, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, uremia, and osmotic stress.
- Detailed specific neuroimaging patterns: 'dark white matter' in hyperglycemia, 'lentiform fork sign' in uremia, and T1 pallidal hyperintensity in bilirubin toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Integrated clinicoradiologic approach is crucial for timely management of acute encephalopathy.
- Characteristic MRI findings are pivotal for diagnosis, prognostication, and therapeutic monitoring of these reversible syndromes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Vitamins
Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
01:20Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
01:21Overview of Protein Metabolism
Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
01:24Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipid metabolism is a crucial process in the human body that involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids. This process is essential for energy production, cell membrane formation, and hormone production, among other functions.
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
01:19Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process that ensures a constant supply of energy to living cells. The most important carbohydrate is glucose, which can be broken down via glycolysis to enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually lead to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
01:40Overview of Metabolism
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...