Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Assess NeuroInflammation and Neuropathic Pain

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) has been applied to numerous clinical studies, especially for neurological disorders. This technique can non-invasively evaluate brain metabolites and neurochemicals in selected brain regions and is particularly useful for assessing neuroinflammatory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroimmune pharmacology 2013-06, Vol.8 (3), p.576-593
Main Authors: Chang, Linda, Munsaka, Sody M., Kraft-Terry, Stephanie, Ernst, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cell Biology
Hepatitis C virus
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Immunology
Inflammation - diagnosis
Inflammation - metabolism
Invited Review
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy - methods
Metabolites
Neuralgia - diagnosis
Neuralgia - metabolism
Neurons - metabolism
Neurons - pathology
Neurosciences
Pain
Parkinson's disease
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Spectrum analysis
Virology
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Summary:Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H MRS) has been applied to numerous clinical studies, especially for neurological disorders. This technique can non-invasively evaluate brain metabolites and neurochemicals in selected brain regions and is particularly useful for assessing neuroinflammatory disorders. Neurometabolites assessed with MRS include the neuronal markers N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamate (Glu), as well as the glial marker myo -inositol (MI). Therefore, the concentrations of these metabolites typically correspond to disease severity and often correlate well with clinical variables in the various brain disorders. Neuroinflammation with activated astrocytes and microglia in brain disorders are often associated with elevated MI, and to a lesser extent elevated total creatine (tCr) and choline containing compounds (Cho), which are found in higher concentrations in glia than neurons, while neuronal injury is indicated by lower than normal levels of NAA and Glu. This review summarizes the neurometabolite abnormalities found in MRS studies performed in patients with neuroinflammatory disorders or neuropathic pain, which also may be associated with neuroinflammation. These brain disorders include multiple sclerosis, neuroviral infections (including Human Immunodeficiency virus and Hepatitis C), degenerative brain disorders (including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease), stimulant abuse (including methamphetamine and cocaine) as well as several chronic pain syndromes.
ISSN:1557-1890
1557-1904
DOI:10.1007/s11481-013-9460-x