Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction to MR spectroscopy in vivo
- 2 Pulse sequences and protocol design
- 3 Spectral analysis methods, quantitation, and common artifacts
- 4 Normal regional variations: brain development and aging
- 5 MRS in brain tumors
- 6 MRS in stroke and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy
- 7 MRS in infectious, inflammatory, and demyelinating lesions
- 8 MRS in epilepsy
- 9 MRS in neurodegenerative disease
- 10 MRS in traumatic brain injury
- 11 MRS in cerebral metabolic disorders
- 12 MRS in prostate cancer
- 13 MRS in breast cancer
- 14 MRS in musculoskeletal disease
- Index
- References
9 - MRS in neurodegenerative disease
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction to MR spectroscopy in vivo
- 2 Pulse sequences and protocol design
- 3 Spectral analysis methods, quantitation, and common artifacts
- 4 Normal regional variations: brain development and aging
- 5 MRS in brain tumors
- 6 MRS in stroke and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy
- 7 MRS in infectious, inflammatory, and demyelinating lesions
- 8 MRS in epilepsy
- 9 MRS in neurodegenerative disease
- 10 MRS in traumatic brain injury
- 11 MRS in cerebral metabolic disorders
- 12 MRS in prostate cancer
- 13 MRS in breast cancer
- 14 MRS in musculoskeletal disease
- Index
- References
Summary
Key points
Despite the relatively common occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases, MRS is lightly used in these conditions, most likely because of lack of sensitivity and overlap of spectral findings in different disorders.
MRS usually shows decreased levels of NAA in dementia.
Dementias associated with gliosis (e.g. Alzheimer's) also have increased myo-inositol (mI).
mI/NAA ratios correlate with clinical severity and histopathological involvement in Alzheimer's disease.
mI/NAA ratios, and regional variations in metabolite levels, may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of different dementias (Alzheimer, vascular, frontotemporal, Lewy body).
Parkinson's disease does not seem to be associated with any metabolic disorders, although other Parkinsonian disorders (e.g. multiple system atrophy) may show reduced NAA in the basal ganglia.
Metabolic changes in Huntington's disease are unclear; some studies have reported elevated lactate levels in the basal ganglia, but others have not.
Prion diseases are characterized by decreased NAA levels.
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), upper motor neuron NAA decreases may be helpful in establishing a diagnosis.
Introduction
Neurodegenerative diseases include a very wide group of disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Many of these disorders arise from the combined effects of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. This results in reduced cognition (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular dementia), motor system performance (e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), or both (e.g. Parkinson's disease and prion diseases).
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Clinical MR SpectroscopyTechniques and Applications, pp. 144 - 160Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009