Quantitative proton MR spectroscopic imaging of normal human cerebellum and brain stem.

Quantitative, multislice proton MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) was used to investigate regional metabolite levels and ratios in the normal adult human posterior fossa. Six normal volunteers (36 +/- 3 years, five male, one female) were scanned on a 1.5 T scanner using multislice MRSI at long echo time (TE 280 msec). The entire cerebellum was covered using three oblique-axial slice locations, which also included the pons, mid-brain, insular cortex, and parieto-occipital lobe. Concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), and creatine (Cr) were estimated using the phantom replacement technique. Regional variations of the concentrations were assessed using ANOVA (P < 0.05). High-resolution MRSI data was obtained in all subjects and brain regions examined. Metabolite concentrations (mM) (mean +/- SD) were as follows: cerebellar vermis: 2.3 +/- 0.4, 8.8 +/- 1.7 and 7.6 +/- 1.0 for Cho, Cr, and NAA respectively; cerebellar hemisphere: 2.2 +/- 0.6, 8.9 +/- 2.1, 7.5 +/- 0.8; pons 2.2 +/- 0.5, 4.3 +/- 1.1, 8.3 +/- 0.9; insular cortex, 1.8 +/- 0.5, 7.8 +/- 2, 8.0 +/- 1.1, parieto-occipital gray matter, 1.3 +/- 0.3, 5.7 +/- 1.1, 7.2 +/- 0.9, and occipital white matter, 1.4 +/- 0.3, 5.3 +/- 1.3, 7.5 +/- 0.8. Consistent with previous reports, significantly higher levels of Cr were found in the cerebellum compared to parieto-occipital gray and occipital white matter, and pons (P < 0.0001). NAA was essentially uniformly distributed within the regions chosen for analysis, with the highest level in the pons (P < 0.04). Cho was significantly higher in the cerebellum and pons than parieto-occipital gray and occipital white matter (P < 0.002) and was also higher in the pons than in the insular cortex (P < 0.05). Quantitative multislice MRSI of the posterior fossa is feasible and significant regional differences in metabolite concentrations were found.     

Proton MRS in Kennedy disease: absolute metabolite and macromolecular concentrations

PURPOSE: To investigate whether glutamine and glutamate (Glx) were elevated in Kennedy Disease (KD), and whether pathological proteins were spectroscopically visible as altered macromolecular (MM) resonances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with KD and twelve healthy volunteers were investigated using a stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) spectroscopy sequence with metabolite-nulling. RESULTS: The concentrations of Glx remained unchanged in KD. An increased myo-inositol (Ins), and elevated MM at 0.9 ppm were found within the motor area. The N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio was negatively correlated to the number of cytosine adenosine guanine (CAG) repeats in the motor area. CONCLUSION: The elevated MM at 0.9 ppm may be attributed to a pathologically altered protein in KD. Additionally, the changes of Ins point to a clinically unexpected involvement of the motor cortex. The correlation of NAA/Cr with the number of CAG repeats indicates a link between metabolites and genetic failure.     

Proton echo-planar spectroscopic imaging of J-coupled resonances in human brain at 3 and 4 Tesla.

In this multicenter study, 2D spatial mapping of J-coupled resonances at 3T and 4T was performed using short-TE (15 ms) proton echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (PEPSI). Water-suppressed (WS) data were acquired in 8.5 min with 1-cm(3) spatial resolution from a supraventricular axial slice. Optimized outer volume suppression (OVS) enabled mapping in close proximity to peripheral scalp regions. Constrained spectral fitting in reference to a non-WS (NWS) scan was performed with LCModel using correction for relaxation attenuation and partial-volume effects. The concentrations of total choline (tCho), creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr+PCr), glutamate (Glu), glutamate + glutamine (Glu+Gln), myo-inositol (Ins), NAA, NAA+NAAG, and two macromolecular resonances at 0.9 and 2.0 ppm were mapped with mean Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) between 6% and 18% and approximately 150-cm(3) sensitive volumes. Aspartate, GABA, glutamine (Gln), glutathione (GSH), phosphoethanolamine (PE), and macromolecules (MMs) at 1.2 ppm were also mapped, although with larger mean CRLBs between 30% and 44%. The CRLBs at 4T were 19% lower on average as compared to 3T, consistent with a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and increased spectral resolution. Metabolite concentrations were in the ranges reported in previous studies. Glu concentration was significantly higher in gray matter (GM) compared to white matter (WM), as anticipated. The short acquisition time makes this methodology suitable for clinical studies.     

cerebellar atrophy after moderate-to-severe pediatric traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the cerebellum has not attracted the same degree of attention as cortical areas and the hippocampus in traumatic brain injury (TBI) literature, there is limited structural and functional imaging evidence that the cerebellum is also vulnerable to insult. The cerebellum is emerging as part of a frontocerebellar system that, when disrupted, results in significant cognitive and behavioral consequences. We hypothesized that cerebellar volume would be reduced in children following TBI and wished to examine the relation between the cerebellum and known sites of projection, including the prefrontal cortex, thalamus, and pons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative MR imaging was used to measure cerebellar white and gray matter and lesion volumes 1-10 years following TBI in 16 children 9-16 years of age and 16 demographically matched typically developing children 9-16 years of age. Cerebellar volumes were also compared with volumetric data from other brain regions to which the cerebellum projects. RESULTS: A significant group difference was found in cerebellar white and gray matter volume, with children in the TBI group consistently exhibiting smaller volumes. Repeating the analysis after excluding children with focal cerebellar lesions revealed that significant group differences still remained for cerebellar white matter (WM). We also found a relation between the cerebellum and projection areas, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, thalamus, and pons in 1 or both groups. CONCLUSION: Our finding of reduced cerebellar WM volume in children with TBI is consistent with evidence from experimental studies suggesting that the cerebellum and its related projection areas are highly vulnerable to fiber degeneration following traumatic insult.     

Assessment of absolute metabolite concentrations in human tissue by 31P MRS in vivo. Part I: Cerebrum,cerebellum, cerebral gray and white matter

Absolute metabolite concentrations were determined in four different brain regions using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P MRS) on 10 healthy adult volunteers. Localized spectra were collected simultaneously from the cerebellum and the cerebrum and, later, from deep white matter and cortical gray matter by means of a two-volume lSlS pulse sequence and a Helmholtz-type RF-coil. Each brain spectrum was quantified with a calibration spectrum from a head-shaped simulation phantom. A time-domain fitting routine was used to process the fully relaxed data. Several metabolite concentrations (mmolAiter) differed significantly between the cerebrum and the cerebellum (PME = 3.2 f 0.3 and 4.0 & 0.6, PC:r = 2.9 & 0.3 and 3.9 f 0.4, NTP = 2.9 f 0.2 and 2.6 & 0.2, respectively) and between cortical gray matter and deep white matter (PME = 3.1 f 0.4 and 4.3 ± 0.8, PDE = 10.1 f 2.5 and 14.2 & 2.6, respectively). The concentration of free magnesium ion was found to be similar in all four brain regions (0.53 ± 0.21 mmol/liter) but the intracellular pH was significantly higher in the cerebellum (7.04 ± 0.03) than in the cerebrum (6.99 ± 0.02).     

Subarachnoid hemorrhage in the subacute stage: elevated apparent diffusion coefficient in normal-appearing brain tissue after treatment

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate whether subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with a change in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in normal-appearing brain parenchyma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained for all patient and volunteer studies. One hundred patients (48 men, 52 women; mean age, 52 years +/- 12 [standard deviation]) with aneurysmal SAH underwent conventional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at a mean of 9 days +/- 3 after SAH to evaluate possible lesions caused by SAH, treatment of SAH, and vasospasm. Aneurysms were treated surgically (n = 70) or endovascularly (n = 30) before MR imaging. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging was performed at 1-year follow-up in 30 patients (10 men, 20 women; mean age, 51 years +/- 11). Thirty healthy age-matched volunteers (11 men, 19 women; mean age, 54 years +/- 16) underwent MR imaging with an identical protocol. ADC values were measured bilaterally in the gray and white matter (parietal, frontal, temporal, occipital lobes; cerebellum; caudate nucleus; lentiform nucleus; thalamus; and pons) that appeared normal on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MR images. Linear mixed model was used for comparison of ADC values of supratentorial gray matter and white matter; general linear regression analysis was used for comparison of ADC values of cerebellum and pons. RESULTS: In patients with SAH, the ADC values in normal-appearing white matter, with a single exception in the frontal lobe (P = .091), were significantly higher than they were in healthy volunteers (P /= .121). CONCLUSION: SAH and its treatment may cause global mild vasogenic edema in white matter and deep gray matter that is undetectable on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MR images but is detectable by measuring the ADC value in the subacute stage of SAH.     

正常人脑不同区域^1H磁共振波谱研究

目的：应用１Ｈ磁共振波谱技术研究正常人脑内化合物的含量和分布。材料和方法：应用１．５Ｔ磁共振仪对１８例正常人脑进行１Ｈ波谱测试，测量的感兴趣区包括大脑皮层、白质、丘脑和小脑，所用序列为激励回波探测序列（ｓｔｉｍｕｌａｔｅｄｅｃｈｏａｑｕｉｓｉｔｉｏｎｍｏｄｅ，ＳＴＥＡＭ）。结果：１Ｈ磁共振波谱可以检测出脑内许多化合物，如Ｎ－乙酰门冬氨酸（ＮＡＡ）、含胆碱类化合物（Ｃｈｏ）、肌酸和磷酸肌酸（Ｃｒ＋Ｐｃｒ）、谷氨酸和谷氨酰胺（Ｇｌｕ＋Ｇｌｎ）、脂质、乳酸等。各化合物的浓度在脑的不同区域存在着差异。ＮＡＡ／Ｃｈｏ比值在灰质最高，小脑最低。Ｃｒ／Ｃｈｏ比值在小脑最高、白质最低。设定肌酸的浓度在灰质和小脑为１０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ，在白质和丘脑为１１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ，计算ＮＡＡ的绝对浓度为１３～２３ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ，并且灰质的含量高于小脑和丘脑。结论：１Ｈ磁共振波谱技术可无创性检测出脑组织中与能量代谢、氨基酸、脂肪酸及神经递质有关的化合物，并可定量测定，有助于研究生理和疾病时脑生化改变。     

Elevated mean diffusivity in widespread brain regions in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome

PURPOSE: To investigate whether mean diffusivity (MD) values are altered in brain areas underlying cardiovascular and respiratory control in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional and diffusion tensor imaging were performed in 15 CCHS and 30 control subjects, using a 3.0-Tesla MRI unit. Mean diffusivity maps were calculated from diffusion-weighted images, spatially normalized, smoothed, and compared between groups using analysis of covariance at each voxel with age as covariate. Global mean MD values of gray and white matter were determined in individual subjects and compared between groups and with age. RESULTS: Increased MD values appeared in CCHS over control subjects within multiple areas influencing breathing and cardiovascular control, including the midbrain, pons, and dorsal and ventral medulla. Other altered sites included cerebellar cortex and deep nuclei, basal ganglia, basal forebrain, and temporal and frontal cortices. Global mean MD values for gray and white matter did not differ between groups; however, gray matter MD values significantly increased with age (P < 0.02) in CCHS patients only. CONCLUSION: Increased MD values suggest regional alterations or injury; affected areas include brainstem sites classically associated with autonomic and respiratory control. Other altered regions mediate additional physiological characteristics impaired in CCHS.     

Comparison of longitudinal metabolite relaxation times in different regions of the human brain at 1.5 and 3 Tesla.

In vivo longitudinal relaxation times of N-acetyl compounds (NA), choline-containing substances (Cho), creatine (Cr), myo-inositol (mI), and tissue water were measured at 1.5 and 3 T using a point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) sequence with short echo time (TE). T(1) values were determined in six different brain regions: the occipital gray matter (GM), occipital white matter (WM), motor cortex, frontoparietal WM, thalamus, and cerebellum. The T(1) relaxation times of water protons were 26-38% longer at 3 T than at 1.5 T. Significantly longer metabolite T(1) values at 3 T (11-36%) were found for NA, Cho, and Cr in the motor cortex, frontoparietal WM, and thalamus. The amounts of GM, WM, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the voxel were determined by segmentation of a 3D image data set. No influence of tissue composition on metabolite T(1) values was found, while the longitudinal relaxation times of water protons were strongly correlated with the relative GM content.     

Reference values for long echo time MR spectroscopy in healthy adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is a lack of information with regard to normal metabolic ratios acquired with MR spectroscopy utilizing a long echo time technique. Our purpose was to measure metabolic ratios in healthy adults to determine whether the metabolites varied across brain regions and by sex. METHODS: Single voxel proton spectra were acquired with an echo time of 135 milliseconds in 10 brain regions of 72 healthy subjects ranging in age from 20 to 44 years. Six gray matter sites in the cerebrum included four cortical areas in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, and two deep nuclear sites in the basal ganglia and the thalamus. Two subcortical white matter regions were in the parietal and the frontal lobes. Two posterior fossa sites included the pons and the cerebellum. All 10 brain regions were not studied in each subject. For each spectrum, the metabolites n-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Ch) were identified and ratios of NAA/Cr and Ch/Cr calculated for each brain region. A multifactorial analysis of variance was performed with the two metabolic ratios as dependent variables and with brain region and sex as independent variables. Post hoc statistical analysis consisted of the Scheffé F statistic for significant difference between pairs of brain regions for both metabolic ratios. RESULTS: There was significant regional variation for both the NAA/Cr ratio (P < .0001) and the Ch/Cr ratio (P < .0001). The NAA/Cr ratio was consistent within cortical gray and white matter but differed between cortical gray (smaller ratio) and white matter (larger ratio). The Ch/Cr ratio was variable in the gray matter, differed between some but not all gray and white matter regions, but was consistent within subcortical white matter regions. There was no difference between men and women for either metabolic ratio. CONCLUSION: There was variation of the NAA/Cr ratio and the Ch/Cr ratio across brain regions, but no sex differences were found. These findings provide the requisite normative values to use single voxel, long-echo-time MR spectroscopy in adult patients with neurologic disorders.     

小儿正常小脑半球组织~1H-MRS研究

目的:测定和计算0～7岁小儿正常小脑半球组织代谢物比值,并观察各比值随年龄变化规律。方法:应用多体素2D1H-MRS点分辨波谱(PRESS)序列测定70例0～7岁小儿正常小脑半球组织的双侧灰质及白质区代谢物浓度,按年龄分为0-1岁,1-2岁,2-3岁,3-5岁,5-7岁五组,计算和分析NAA/Cr、Cho/Cr、NAA/Cho的比值。结果:正常小脑灰质区在各年龄组间NAA/Cho(P=0.0143)和NAA/Cr(P=0.0050);白质区的NAA/Cho和NAA/Cr均P<0.001;灰质和白质区的Cho/Cr(P=0.1195,P>0.05);灰质和白质区NAA/Cho值与年龄呈正相关(P<0.001,P<0.0001);NAA/Cr值与年龄呈正相关(P=0.0004,P<0.0001);灰质区Cho/Cr与年龄呈负相关(P=0.038),白质区与年龄呈负相关(P=0.568>0.05)。结论:0～7岁小儿正常小脑半球灰、白质的代谢物比值在不同年龄组会不同,灰质和白质区NAA/Cho、NAA/Cr值随年龄增长逐渐升高,而灰质区Cho/Cr值逐渐减小,白质区无明显变化,临床上应用MRS要考虑其年龄和部位的因素。     

Localized proton NMR spectroscopy in different regions of the human brain in vivo. Relaxation times and concentrations of cerebral metabolites

High-resolution proton NMR spectra of normal human brain in vivo have been obtained from selected 27- and 64-ml volumes-of-interest (VOI) localized in the insular area, the occipital area, the thalamus, and the cerebellum of normal volunteers. Localization was achieved by stimulated echo (STEAM) sequences using a conventional 1.5-T whole-body MRI system (Siemens Magnetom). The proton NMR spectra show resonances from lipids, lactate, acetate, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), gamma-aminobutyrate, glutamine, glutamate, aspartate, creatine and phosphocreatine, choline-containing compounds, taurine, and inositols. While T1 relaxation times of most of these metabolites were about 1100-1700 ms without significant regional differences, their T2 relaxation times varied between 100 and 500 ms. The longest T2 values of about (500 +/- 50) ms were observed for the methyl protons of NAA in the white matter of the occipital lobe compared to (320 +/- 30) ms in the other parts of the brain. No significant regional T2 differences were found for choline and creatine methyl resonances. The relative concentrations of NAA in gray and white matter were found to be 35% higher than those in the thalamus and cerebellum. Assuming a concentration of 10 mM for total creatine the resulting NAA concentrations of 13-18 mM are by a factor of 2-3 higher than previously reported using analytical techniques. Cerebral lactate reached a maximum concentration of about 1.0 mM.     

Localized proton MRS of the human hippocampus: metabolite concentrations and relaxation times.

Absolute concentrations and proton relaxation times of major metabolites in the human hippocampus were determined with use of fully relaxed, short-echo time STEAM localization sequences at 2.0 T (20 normal adults). Mean metabolite concentrations were 7.6+/-0.9 mM for total Nacetylaspartate (tNAA), 6.9+/-0.8 mM for total creatine (tCr), 2.1+/-0.3 mM for choline-containing compounds (Cho), and 6.2+/-0.9 mM for myo-inositol (Ins). The observation of relatively low tNAA and high Cho and Ins levels compared with cortical gray and white matter corresponds to a lower neuronal density and higher glial density than in the neocortex, in agreement with histologic findings. The data do not support a lateralization of metabolites. T1 and T2 relaxation times were in the range of 1400-1730 and 140-330 msec, respectively, similar to those in other brain regions.     

MRI measurements of the pons and cerebellum in children born preterm; associations with the severity of periventricular leukomalacia and perinatal risk factors

Our purpose was to measure the size of the pons and cerebellum in preterm babies with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and to study their relationship with the severity of PVL and with perinatal risk factors. We examined 33 premature children, mean gestational age 31 weeks, range 26–36 weeks with PVL on MRI, and 27 full-term controls. On MRI at 0.4–5.5 years (mean 1.4 years) we measured the area of the corpus callosum and vermis, the anteroposterior diameter of the pons and the volume of the cerebellum. The area of the corpus callosum was used as a marker of white matter loss and PVL severity. All regional brain measurements except that of the vermis were significantly lower in patients than controls: corpus callosum (mm²): 239.6±92.5 vs 434.8±126.8, P <0.01; pons (mm): 14.8±3.0 vs 17.9±1.4, P <0.01]; cerebellum (cm³): 68.2±31.6 vs 100.6±28.3, P <0.01; vermis (mm²): 808.1±292.2 vs 942.2±246.2, NS. Significant reduction in the area of the vermis: 411.3±203.3 vs 935±252.6 mm²; cerebellar volume: 16.3±12.5 vs 96.6±20.2 mm³; and the diameter of the pons: 10.1±2.2 vs 17.5±1.3 mm (P <0.01) were observed in seven children with gestational age 28 weeks, severe hypotension and large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). There was a significant correlation between the duration of mechanical ventilation and the size of the vermis, pons and cerebellum (R=–0.65, –0.57 and –0.73, respectively, P <0.01).     

Quantitative MR imaging R2 relaxometry in elderly participants reporting memory loss

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In Alzheimer disease (AD), elevated brain iron concentrations in gray matter suggest a disruption in iron homeostasis, while demyelination processes in white matter increase the water content. Our aim was to assess whether the transverse proton relaxation rate, or R2, an MR imaging parameter affected by changes in brain iron concentration and water content, was different in elderly participants with mild to severe levels of cognitive impairment compared with healthy controls. METHODS: Twelve elderly participants reporting memory problems and 11 healthy volunteers underwent single-spin-echo MR imaging in a 1.5T scanner, with subsequent neuropsychological testing. R2 data were collected from 14 brain regions in cortical and subcortical gray and white matter. Those with memory complaints were separated into 2 further subgroups: MC1 (no objective cognitive impairment) and MC2 (mild to severe objective cognitive impairment). RESULTS: Mean brain R2 values from the 11 controls correlated strongly (r = 0.94, P < .0001) with reference brain iron concentrations for healthy adults. R2 values in the MC1 and MC2 subgroups were significantly higher in the right temporal cortex and significantly lower in the left internal capsule, compared with healthy controls. R2 values in the MC2 subgroup were significantly lower in the left temporal and frontal white matter, compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: R2 differences between both subgroups and the healthy controls suggest iron has increased in the temporal cortex, and myelin has been lost from several white matter regions in those with memory complaints, consistent with incipient AD pathogenesis and biochemical data.     

Quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging: regional variations in the corpus callosum and cortical gray matter

PURPOSE: To evaluate regional variations of metabolite concentrations in normal adult brain cortical gray matter regions, and the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative, multislice proton MRSI (TR/TE = 2000/280 msec) was performed in 12 normal human volunteers (age = 39 +/- 6 years, 7 male). Metabolite concentrations in selected cortical gray matter regions and the corpus callosum were estimated using the phantom replacement methodology. RESULTS: Frontal and parietal gray matter (PGM) showed strong differences in choline-containing compound (Cho) concentrations; in particular, Cho was higher in mesial frontal gray matter than in both dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (P < 0.0005) and PGM (P < 0.004). In contrast, both N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) were relatively uniformly distributed in the cortical gray matter regions evaluated. Significant metabolic differences were found between the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. Cho concentrations were significantly higher in genu than splenium (P < 0.005), while Cr was lower (P < 0.004). NAA showed a trend to be higher in the splenium than the genu (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Metabolite concentrations, particularly Cho, showed strong regional variations both within cortical gray matter regions and between the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. Mesial frontal regions showed the highest Cho signals. Differences in spectra presumably reflect underlying changes in structure and cellular composition. Normal spectral variations should always be considered when evaluating pathology within those brain regions.     

Quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the cervical spinal cord.

Proton MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) provides indices of neuronal damage in the central nervous system (CNS); however, it has not been extensively applied in the spinal cord. This work describes an optimized proton spectroscopy protocol for examination of the human cervical spinal cord. B(0) field mapping of the cord revealed periodic inhomogeneities due to susceptibility differences with surrounding tissue. By combining field maps and experimental data, we found that the optimum voxel size was 9 x 7 x 35 mm(3) placed with the inferior end of the voxel above vertebral body C2. Metabolite concentrations were determined in the cervical cord in six healthy controls by short-echo point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) volume localization. The results were compared with metabolite concentrations in the brainstem, cerebellum, and cortex in the same individuals. The concentrations in the cervical cord were as follows: N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) 17.3 +/- 0.5, creatine (Cr) 9.5 +/- 0.9, and choline 2.7 +/- 0.5 mmol/l. The NAA concentration was significantly lower in the cord than in the brainstem (Mann-Whitney, P < 0.025), and higher than in the cortex (P < 0.005) and cerebellum (P < 0.005). Cr was significantly lower in the cord than in the cerebellum (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between Cr concentrations in the spinal cord compared to the cortex and brainstem.     

Regional metabolite concentrations in human brain as determined by quantitative localized proton MRS

The regional distribution of brain metabolites was studied in several cortical white and gray matter areas, cerebellum, and thalamus of young adults with use of quantitative single-voxel proton MRS at 2.0 T. Whereas the neuronal compound N-acetylaspartate is distributed homogeneously throughout the brain, N-acetylaspartylglutamate increases caudally and exhibits higher concentrations in white matter than in gray matter. Creatine, myo-inositol, glutamate, and glutamine are less concentrated in cortical white matter than in gray matter. The highest creatine levels are found in cerebellum, parallel to the distribution of creatine kinase and energy-requiring processes in the brain. Also myo-inositol has highest concentrations in the cerebellum. Choline-containing compounds exhibit a marked regional variability with again highest concentrations in cerebellum and lowest levels and a strong caudally decreasing gradient in gray matter. The present findings neither support a metabolic gender difference (except for a 1.3-fold higher myo-inositol level in parietal white matter of female subjects) nor a metabolic hemispheric asymmetry.     

一体化PET/MR结合统计参数图辅助^11C-PIB显像的半定量分析及其临床应用

目的 研究一体化PET/MR结合统计参数图(SPM)辅助^11C-匹兹堡化合物B(PIB)用于β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)PET显像半定量分析的准确性,探索其用于认知障碍的诊断及鉴别诊断的可行性.方法 回顾分析2018年1月至2019年9月在华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院PET中心进行^11C-PIB PET/MR扫描,临床最终确诊的13例阿尔茨海默病(AD)患者[男4例,女9例;年龄(59.2±5.8)岁]和10例血管性认知障碍(VCD)患者[男9例,女1例;年龄(59.5±11.5)岁].结合三维T1加权成像(3D T1WI)对^11C-PIB PET图像分别进行脑区手动勾画和SPM辅助半自动分割,获得8个关键脑区(大脑白质、纹状体、丘脑、后扣带回、额叶皮质、后顶叶皮质、颞叶外侧皮质和枕叶皮质)与小脑皮质的标准摄取值比值(SUVR).对2种方法所获结果进行Pearson相关分析;采用两独立样本t检验、配对t检验分析数据.结果 AD组与VCD组患者的年龄和简易精神状态检查量表(MMSE)评分[(19.7±4.7)和(21.7±3.8)分]差异均无统计学意义(t值:0.095和1.098,均P>0.05).除丘脑外(r=0.179,P=0.413),分割法和勾画法在其余7个关键脑区获得的SUVR均有良好的相关性(r值:0.678~0.893,均P<0.05).AD组8个关键脑区的SUVR均明显高于VCD组(1.519~2.055与1.105~1.618;t值:2.799~11.582,均P相似文献   

PET studies of 18F-memantine in healthy volunteers

Previous studies in mice and PET investigations in a Rhesus monkey showed that the regional uptake of 18F-memantine could be blocked by pharmacological doses of memantine and (+)-MK-801. In the present study, the binding characteristics of 18F-memantine was examined in five healthy volunteers.In humans, 18F-memantine was homogeneously distributed in gray matter i.e. cortex and basal ganglia regions, as well as the cerebellum. No radioactive metabolites were detected in plasma during the time-frame of the PET studies. The uptake of 18F-memantine in receptor-rich regions such as striatum and frontal cortex could be well described by a 1-tissue compartment model. The DV" values of all gray matter regions were similar and ranged from 15 to 20 ml/ml. The white matter showed lower DV" values of 15 +/- 1.4 ml/ml. These results suggest that 18F-memantine distribution in human brain does not reflect the regional NMDA receptor concentration, and therefore, this radioligand is not suitable for the PET imaging of the NMDA receptors.