Tong Tong PHD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Zhenwei Yao, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Xiaoyuan Feng MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Weijun Peng MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

We investigated whether patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) have metabolic changes in the brain.

35 patients with clinically diagnosed TIA were prospectively included in our study. Clinical and neurological data were compiled. 1H-MR spectroscopy and perfusion-weighted imaging were performed in all patients within 3 days of onset of symptoms.

In TIA patients, the N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline ratio in noninfarcted regions was significantly decreased in the symptomatic hemisphere (1.33±0.38) compared with the asymptomatic hemisphere (1.51±0.41, P<0.05). Patients with a history of prior TIA had a significantly decreased NAA/choline ratio in both the symptomatic(P<0.05)and asymptomatic (P<0.05) hemispheres compared with TIA patients without a prior TIA. TIA patients with DWI lesions had a significantly increased lactate/NAA ratio in both the symptomatic(P<0.05)and asymptomatic (P<0.05) hemispheres compared with TIA patients without lesions. Relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) value was directly related to the symptomatic Cho/Cr value(r＝0.81, p<0.01).The higher the rCBF value was ,the higher the symptomatic Cho/Cr value.

TIA patients have neurological deficits that are transient；however, metabolic damage to the brain is present up to 3 days after the onset of the symptoms. These metabolic changes are not restricted to the symptomatic hemisphere or to areas close to ischemic lesions and the changes are related to the cerebral blood flow.

The metabolic changes are not restricted to the symptomatic hemisphere or to areas close to ischemic lesions and the changes are related to the cerebral blood flow.

Tong, T, Yao, Z, Feng, X, Peng, W, 1H-MR Spectroscopy Changes in Transient Ischemic Attack Patients and Their Correlation with Perfusion-weighted Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11002047.html