N-acetylaspartate and epilepsy

Proton magnetic resonance spectra include signals from N-acetylaspartate, creatine + phosphocreatine, and choline-containing compounds. Abnormalities in these signals can be used in the assessment of patients with intractable epilepsy. In particular, they provide a means of identifying metabolic abnormalities within the temporal lobes, detecting bilateral and diffuse pathology, and aiding lateralization of the seizure focus. The pathology demonstrated on MRS can also be related to cognitive dysfunction.