Clinical experience with 13C MRS in vivo

Abstract

13C MRS was installed on a clinical scanner at 1.5T in order to facilitate integrated MR examinations of human brain disorders. Using a simplified protocol, (1-13C) glucose and/or (1-13C) acetate were administered orally or by intravenous infusion. 13C spectra of diagnostic quality were acquired in more than 100 consecutive studies. Novel 13C neurochemical data contributed to the understanding of Alzheimer's, Canavan's, mitochondrial and hepatic encephalopathy, epilepsy and normal brain development. 13C MRS uncovered hitherto unknown disorders of NAA-synthesis, glutamate neurotransmission, TCA-cycle and glycolysis. Despite low inherent signal-to-noise, natural abundance 13C MRS showed diagnostic promise. 13C MRS is feasible in a clinical setting, at reasonable cost in neonates, children, adults and elderly patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.