1H MR spectroscopy in common dementias.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the 1H MR spectroscopic (MRS) findings and intergroup differences among common dementias: Alzheimer disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).

METHODS:

The authors consecutively recruited 206 normal elderly subjects and 121 patients with AD, 41 with FTLD, 20 with DLB, and 8 with VaD. The 1H MRS metabolite ratio changes in common dementias were evaluated with respect to normal and also differences among the common dementias.

RESULTS:

N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) was lower than normal in patients with AD, FTLD, and VaD. Myo-inositol (mI)/Cr was higher than normal in patients with AD and FTLD. Choline (Cho)/Cr was higher than normal in patients with AD, FTLD, and DLB. There were no metabolite differences between patients with AD and FTLD or between patients with DLB and VaD. NAA/Cr was lower in patients with AD and FTLD than DLB. MI/Cr was higher in patients with AD and FTLD than VaD. MI/Cr was also higher in patients with FTLD than DLB.

CONCLUSIONS:

NAA/Cr levels are decreased in dementias that are characterized by neuron loss, such as AD, FTLD, and VaD. MI/Cr levels are elevated in dementias that are pathologically characterized by gliosis, such as AD and FTLD. Cho/Cr levels are elevated in dementias that are characterized by a profound cholinergic deficit, such as AD and DLB.

• Authors: K Kantarci, R C Petersen, B F Boeve, D S Knopman, D F Tang-Wai, P C O'Brien, S D Weigand, S D Edland, G E Smith, R J Ivnik, T J Ferman, E G Tangalos, C R Jack Jr
• Journal: Neurology (Neurology) Vol. 63 Issue 8 Pg. 1393-8 (Oct 26 2004) ISSN: 1526-632X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 15505154 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Protons
• Aspartic Acid
• Inositol
• N-acetylaspartate
• Creatine
• Choline
• Acetylcholine

Topics

• Acetylcholine (metabolism)
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alzheimer Disease (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Aspartic Acid (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
• Brain (metabolism, pathology)
• Brain Chemistry
• Choline (metabolism)
• Creatine (metabolism)
• Dementia (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Dementia, Vascular (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Down-Regulation (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Inositol (metabolism)
• Lewy Body Disease (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neurodegenerative Diseases (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Protons