Weidong Cai, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Wei Sun, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Xin Lou MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Youquan Cai, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The goal of this research was to discuss factors affecting different metabolites’content in the frontal white and gray matter, such as age, gender and brain lateralization, and assess the value of these factors on diagnosis.

MRI/MRS data were obtained from 46 healthy subjects divided into young group (10 women and 14 men) of mean age 28 years (range: 21-35) and middle age group (14 women and 8 men) of mean age 56 years (range: 45-60). All MR acquisitions were carried out on a 1.5T GE Signal whole-body scanner with the body coil as the transmitter coil and a birdcage head coil as the receiver coil. Axial structure images were obtained with frFSE protocol (TR/TE=2500/103.3 ms). Single voxel spectra were acquired with PRESS protocol (TR/TE=1500/144ms). Three 15*15*15 mm3 ROIs was located in left frontal white matter (LFWM), right frontal white matter (RFWM) and middle frontal grey matter (FGM).

The ratio of NAA/H2O in frontal white matter region in the young group is significantly higher than the ratio in the middle age group (t=3.46, p<0.001). The difference of NAA/H2O in frontal gray matter is not observed between the young group and middle age group. The role of NAA has been verified in provision of carbon for the purpose of lipid and myelin formation. The difference in white matter between young group and middle age group suggests that myelin of white matter fibers is possibly affected by age. There is not significant difference between left frontal white matter and right frontal white matter. No lateralization effect suggests that the unilateral disease can be diagnosis by the healthy side in the frontal lobe. The ratio of NAA/H2O in the frontal lobe was not affected by gender of subjects.

Age is an important factor affecting the level of NAA in frontal white matter. The level of NAA in frontal white matter will decline with aging. Age and brain lateralization have not significant effects on metabolites in frontal lobe.

W.S.: GE Healthcare China

Cai, W, Sun, W, Lou, X, Cai, Y, Metabolites Factors Analysis in Normal Frontal White Matter and Gray Matter.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4408018.html