PURPOSE A broad spectrum of diseases can manifest cerebellar ataxia. In this study, we investigated whether proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may help differentiate spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) from multiple systemic atrophy- cerebellar type (MSA-C). MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study recruited 156 patients with ataxia, including spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 2, 3...

A detailed time study of the incorporation of label from sodium-[lC]acetate, [1C]ethanol, and [2C]glucose into the aspartyl moiety of N -acetylaspartic acid (NAA) was conducted. As expected the specific activity of aspartate increased rapidly with time and peaked within 15 20 min after which it fell sharply: but significant!). that of the aspartyl moiety of NAA rose very slowly even after the s...

OBJECTIVE We previously demonstrated an inverse relationship between both dentate gyrus neurogenesis - a form of neuroplasticity - and expression of the antiapoptotic gene marker, BCL-2 and adult macaque body weight. We therefore explored whether a similar inverse correlation existed in humans between body mass index (BMI) and hippocampal N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), a marker of neuronal integrity...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic changes of cerebral metabolism and degree of trauma in rabbit models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-five Chinese rabbits were randomly divided into control, mild, moderate, and severe TBI groups. ¹H-MRS was performed 1, 6, an...

To the Editor—We thank Dr. Dylewski [1] for the feedback on our article [2]. It is understood that the usefulness of nucleic acid amplification (NAA) tests varies with the prevalence of the disease among the population being tested. In our article, we do not advocate NAA testing for all specimens submitted for culture. For patients whose specimens have negative acid–fast bacilli (AFB) smear res...

BACKGROUND The term kernicterus, or bilirubin encephalopathy, is used to describe pathological bilirubin staining of the basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum, and is associated with hyperbilirubinemia. Kernicterus generally occurs in untreated hyperbilirubinemia or cases where treatment is delayed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based studies have shown characteristic findings in kernict...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE SIACI of bevacizumab has emerged as a promising novel therapy in the treatment of recurrent GB. This study assessed the potential of (1)H-MRS as an adjunctive technique in detecting metabolic changes reflective of antiproliferative effects of targeted infusion of bevacizumab in the treatment of GB. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen patients enrolled in a phase I/II study o...

BACKGROUND Reduced N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) levels in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may visualize axonal damage even in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Demyelination and axonal degeneration are a hallmark in multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE To define the extent of axonal degeneration in the NAWM in the remote from focal lesions in patients with relapsing-remitting (RRMS) a...

BACKGROUND Nucleic acid amplification (NAA) testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) offers improved diagnostic accuracy, compared with smear microscopy, in differentiating MTB from other mycobacteria. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and projected impact of NAA testing in patients with acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-positive respiratory samples. METHODS We identified a retrospective c...

N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG) and its hydrolysis product N-acetyl-L-aspartate (NAA) are among the most important brain metabolites. NAA is a marker of neuron integrity and viability, while NAAG modulates glutamate release and may have a role in neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity. Investigating on a quantitative basis the role of these metabolites in brain metabolism in vivo by magneti...