Jerzy Michal Walecki MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jaroslaw B Cwikla MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michal Maciej Mol MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maria Barcikowska PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tomasz Jacek Bulski, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic changes in proton spectroscopy in patients suffering from MCI. Those metabolic derangements seem to be biomarkers of clinical conversion from MCI to AD. Among many modalities which diagnose preclinical and early AD (eg PET amyloid imaging) 1H MRS still remains vital.

1H MRS was performed on a group of 51 MCI diagnosed patients. All patients had clinical and biochemical tests as well as standard neuropsychological examinations. MCI diagnosis was established based on the criteria proposed by the Mayo Clinical Group. 1H MRS was performed with a single-voxel method using the PRESS sequence. Results were presented in ratios and quantitatively (LC model).

All patients had an annual clinical follow-up at least twice. In the beginning 14 subjects had amnestic MCI while the rest of the patients had multidomain MCI. During clinical follow-up (median 3 years) 15 subjects had stable disease (SD), 20 had progression of disease (PD) and 16 developed AD. Baseline metabolic ratios (1H MRS) between 3 groups of patients indicated significant differences in the left frontal lobe (in mI/H20 ratio) between patients with SD (0.27) and DP (0.22) (P = 0.03). In groups of patients with DP and AD there was a significant difference in NAA/Cr (1.77 vs. 1.43), (P = 0.02).

MI and NAA seem to be very sensitive biomarkers of conversion from MCI to AD. The significance of our metabolic ratio results needs further prospective study.

MI and NAA seem to be very sensitive biomarkers of conversion from MCI to AD, which allows for early recognition and implementation of appropriate treatment at an early stage.

Walecki, J, Cwikla, J, Mol, M, Barcikowska, M, Bulski, T, The Role of Myoinositol (MI) and N-acetylaspertate (NAA) as Biomarkers of Conversion from MCI to AD.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11005381.html