Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of normal appearing white matter in familial and sporadic multiple sclerosis

Abstract

To assess metabolite levels in normal-appearing white matter in sporadic and familial multiple sclerosis (MS). Using H-MRS and applying one voxel measure we assessed NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios in 26 patients with sporadic and in 25 with familial MS and compared them with healthy subjects. In both MS groups NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratio were significantly lower than in healthy individuals whereas Cho/Cr ratio was higher in MS patients. In sporadic MS patients NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr ratios were lower, although not significantly, than in familial cases. The Cho/Cr ratio was similar in both MS groups. These results suggest that subtle differences in H-MRS measures corresponding to axonal rather than to myelin pathology might occur in sporadic and familial MS.