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Changes of brain metabolite concentrations during maturation in different brain regions measured by chemical shift imaging

  • Paediatric Neuroradiology
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Abstract

Introduction

We examined the effect of maturation on the regional distribution of brain metabolite concentrations using multivoxel chemical shift imaging.

Methods

From our pool of pediatric MRI examinations, we retrospectively selected patients showing a normal cerebral MRI scan or no pathologic signal abnormalities at the level of the two-dimensional 1H MRS-CSI sequence and an age-appropriate global neurological development, except for focal neurological deficits. Seventy-one patients (4.5 months–20 years) were identified. Using LC Model, spectra were evaluated from voxels in the white matter, caudate head, and corpus callosum.

Results

The concentration of total N-acetylaspartate increased in all regions during infancy and childhood except in the right caudate head where it remained constant. The concentration of total creatine decreased in the caudate nucleus and splenium and minimally in the frontal white matter and genu. It remained largely constant in the parietal white matter. The concentration of choline-containing compounds had the tendency to decrease in all regions except in the parietal white matter where it remained constant. The concentration of myoinositol decreased slightly in the splenium and right frontal white matter, remained constant on the left side and in the caudate nucleus, and rose slightly in the parietal white matter and genu.

Conclusion

CSI determined metabolite concentrations in multiple cerebral regions during routine MRI. The obtained data will be helpful in future pediatric CSI measurements deciding whether the ratios of the main metabolites are within the range of normal values or have to be considered as probably pathologic.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Departments of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics of the University of Tübingen (Medical Director Prof. I.Krägeloh-Mann) for helpful collaboration and clinical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, D-30625, Hannover, Germany

    Eva Bültmann & Heinrich Lanfermann

  2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Radiological University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Thomas Nägele

  3. Section of Experimental MR of the CNS, Department of Neuroradiology, Radiological University Hospital, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Uwe Klose

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  1. Eva Bültmann
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  2. Thomas Nägele
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  4. Uwe Klose
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eva Bültmann.

Ethics declarations

We declare that this retrospective study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Tübingen and has therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. We declare that this manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

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We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Bültmann, E., Nägele, T., Lanfermann, H. et al. Changes of brain metabolite concentrations during maturation in different brain regions measured by chemical shift imaging. Neuroradiology 59, 31–41 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-016-1763-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-016-1763-1

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