Does proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy detect metabolite changes indicative of disease load in patients with multiple sclerosis?
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy can detect metabolite changes (decreased N-acetylaspartate to creatine ratio) that may serve as an index of irreversible CNS injury in multiple sclerosis.
Image localized, water-suppressed proton magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from affected brain in patients with multiple sclerosis. In patients with moderate to severe chronic disease, spectra revealed a decreased ratio of N-acetylaspartate to creatine resonance intensities. A normal ratio was obtained from a large recently symptomatic MRI plaque that resolved without sequelae. We propose that the observed metabolite changes can be useful as an index of irreversible CNS injury.
Arnold et al. (1990) studied this question.