1H MR Spectroscopic Patterns of Normal Adult Brain

Song, In Chan; Chang, Kee Hyun; Min, Kwan Hong; Kim, Dong Sung; Han, Moon Hee; Kang, Sa Ouk; Min, Byoung Goo; Han, Man Chung

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate regional differences of 1H magnetic resonance(MR) spectral patterns in normal adulthuman brains.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 44 1H MR spectra in 25 volunteers aged 27-45 were obtained infive regions including the frontal lobe(10), parietal lobe(10), temporal lobe(5), basal ganglia(10) and thalamus(9). 1H MR spectroscopy(MRS) was performed using a PRESS sequence with a TR of 2000ms and a TE of 270msfrom a volume of cm on a 1.5T clinical MR unit. Relative metabolite ratios of NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr and CR/Cho in eachregion were measured and compared.
RESULTS
A total of 44 reliable spectra were successfully obtained in allregions. NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr and Cr/Cho ratios varied considerably, ranging from 1.09 +/-0.2 to 2.46 +/-0.25, from1.72 +/-0.35 to 2.45 +/-0.25 and from 0.64 +/-0.1 to 1.01 +/-0.12, respectively. Significant regional difference sin metabolite ratios were observed; higher NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios in the parietal lobe, lower NAA/Cho ratios inthe temporal lobe, and lower Cr/Cho ratios in the temporal lobe compared to those of other regions(p<0.05). Differences in metabolite ratios between the right and left frontal lobes, and between the right and left basalganglias were not significant.
CONCLUSION
1H MR spectra of the normal adult human brains using in vivo singlevoxel 1H MRS represented significant regional differences in metabolite ratios of NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr and Cr/Cho. Our1H MR spectroscopic results are a useful ueference for assessing the 1H MRS pattern of various intracranial diseases.