Brain aging: Evaluation of pH using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

AIM: Very important aspects of aging include age-related changes occurring in the brain. The aim of the present study was to identify the standard pH value in the entire brain volume using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in healthy individuals of both sexes in different age groups, and then to determine whether there are differences in these values. METHODS: A total of 65 individuals aged 20-32 years (mean age 24.5 ± 2.1 years, 31 women and 34 men) and 31 individuals aged 60-81 years (mean age 64.9 ± 5.5 years, 17 women and 14 men) were studied. The phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy examination was carried out using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance system. The signal was acquired from the volume of interest that covered the whole brain. RESULTS: A vast majority of the examined individuals had slightly alkaline brain pH regardless of age. In the ≥20 years group, pH was 7.09 ± 0.11, and in the ≥60 years group, the average pH was 7.03 ± 0.05. This comparison of the pH identified in all the tested individuals shows a negative correlation of pH with age. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings might provide a valuable basis for further research into "healthy aging" as well as pathology in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 881-885.

Relationship between Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Frontoinsular Gray Matter and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Children at the Age of 4.

Very low birth weight is associated with long term neurodevelopmental complications. Macroscopic brain abnormalities in prematurity survivors have been investigated in several studies. However, there is limited data regarding local cerebral metabolic status and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between proton magnetic resonance spectra in basal ganglia, frontal white matter and frontoinsular gray matter, neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed with the Leiter scale and the Developmental Test of Visual Perception and selected socioeconomic variables in a cohort of very low birth weight children at the age of four. Children were divided in three groups based on the severity of neurodevelopmental impairment. There were no differences in spectroscopy in basal ganglia and frontal white matter between the groups. Lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) and myoinositol (mI) were observed in the frontoinsular cortex of the left hemisphere in children with neurodevelopmental impairment compared to children with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Higher parental education, daycare attendance and breastfeeding after birth were associated with more favorable neurodevelopmental prognosis, whereas rural residence was more prevalent in children with moderate and severe impairment. Our study demonstrates the role of long term neurometabolic disruption in the left frontoinsular cortex and selected socioeconomic variables in determination of neurodevelopmental prognosis in prematurity survivors.

[Usefulness of proton MR spectroscopy for determining diagnosis and treatment outcome in unipolar depressive disorder]. / Ocena przydatnosci protonowej spektroskopii MR w diagnostyce i monitorowaniu leczenia choroby afektywnej jednobiegunowej.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of proton MR spectroscopy for determining the biochemical abnormalities in acute episode of depression and after regression of the disease in course of unipolar depressive disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty one patients (age 18-55 years) with known unipolar depressive disorder (a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale of 16 or greater) were evaluated by the means of HMRS during acute episode of depression and after positive therapeutic response (at least 50% reduced Hamilton score for at least 4 consecutive weeks). All patients underwent single-volume 1H MRS (TR=1500 ms, TE=35 ms) using a 1.5T scanner. Four brain areas were analyzed: both frontal lobes and both hippocampi. RESULTS: In the acute fase of the disease patients had statistically significant increases in Cho/Cr levels in right hippocampus area and increases in ml/Cr levels in left frontal lobes relative to controls. After positive therapeutic response no significant abnormalities were found. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that abnormal increased brain metabolites should reverse after treatment. In the time of new imaging technics we hope that in the future 1H MRS may be helpful for determining the accuracy of the diagnosis and can improved prediction of therapeutic response in unipolar depression.

[Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HMRS) in migraine]. / Badanie spektroskopii rezonansu magnetycznego (HMRS) w migrenie.

INTRODUCTION: There are 4 million people suffering from migraine in Poland, which account; for 10% of national population. Pathomechanism of migraine is not fully understood. In the recent years multiple studies in migraine patients revealed occurrence of metabolic disorders in nervous system tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 30 subjects with migraine diagnosis magnetic resonance spectroscopy examination was performed. Relative concentration ratio (WSS) of metabolites level to creatinine (Cr) level was measured. The obtained values were compared to findings in control groups. RESULTS: Linear correlation between increase in both WSS Lac/Cr value in left temporal lobe and WSS ml/Cr value in right frontal lobe and a number of migraine attacks per year in migraine patients was observed. It also turned out that WSS ml/Cr vox3 value depends on a total number of migraine attacks in life. A lactic acid level in left temporal lobe normalizes along with the elongation of interattack interval. There is a statistically significant difference of WSS ml/Cr value measured in left temporal lobe and right frontal lobe between migraine patients and control group. There is a statistically significant difference of WSS Cho/Cr value measured in left temporal lobe and right frontal lobe between migraine subjects and control groups.

Single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in post-stroke depression.

Mood disorders are associated with structural, metabolic and spectroscopic changes in prefrontal regions. In the case of depression associated with stroke, there is little information about the biochemical profile of these regions, as assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). In a group of first-ever stroke patients, we studied the association between post-stroke depression and (1)H-MRS measurements in unaffected frontal lobes. Twenty-six patients with a first ischemic stroke located outside the frontal lobes were included in the study. Single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) was performed to assess N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA)/Cr, glutamate+glutamine (Glx)/Cr, choline (Cho)/Cr and myo-inositol (mI)/Cr ratios. Patients were assessed within the first 10 days after stroke and again four months later. The diagnosis of depression was made on the basis of clinical observation, interview and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores. In a group of 26 patients, eight (31%) met criteria for depression at the first assessment, and nine (35%) met criteria for depression at follow-up. Patients with depression in the immediate post-stroke phase had significantly higher Glx/Cr ratios in the contralesional hemisphere than non-depressive patients. No biochemical differences were found between the groups at 4-month follow-up. These findings suggest that post-stroke depression is accompanied by changes in frontal lobe glutamate/glutamine levels, perhaps reflecting abnormalities in glutamatergic transmission in the immediate post-stroke period.

[Imaging of hypnosis with functional magnetic resonance]. / Obrazowanie hipnozy w funkcjonalnym rezonansie magnetycznym.

AIM: The aim of the study was imaging of the central nervous system activity with the fMRI method during hypnosis as well as confirmation of the observations linking subjective effects of suggested analgesia with the functional changes on the neurophysiological level. METHOD: At first volunteers (7 female, 7 male) were examined with fMRI in the resting state and then four times during application of painful stimuli such as pricking of the right hand. Four experimental conditions were associated with this stimulation: only nociceptive stimulation, after analgesic suggestion, after hypnotic induction and after consecutive analgesic suggestion in hypnosis. In the fifth condition, concentration of attention was an experimental condition, while the control condition was distraction of attention (e.g. free associations). The contrast differences between measurements in the consecutive phases of the experiment were analysed. RESULTS: Decreases of activity of regions known for contributing to pain reception were found, probably as an effect of analgesic suggestion. This effect was seen especially in the area of L-thalamus. Suggestion (more precisely--the reception of its content) was related mainly to the R-ACG area activity growth. Hypnotic induction was correlated with increasing activity of the L-orbitofrontal gyrus. Concentration of attention was linked with activity increase within inferior parietal lobule, occipital middle/superior gyri; in the left hemisphere in the orbital frontal gyri and insula/frontal operculum. CONCLUSION: Both hypnosis and reception of analgesic suggestion are linked with increasing activity in particular brain areas, whereas the effect of analgesic suggestion demonstrates itself in the fMRI mainly by diminishing the reaction on painful stimuli.