Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study on the metabolism changes of cerebellum in patients with post-stroke depression

Abstract

Objective: To study the metabolic changes of cerebellum by proton magnetic resonance Spectroscopy ( 1 H-MRS) and discuss the relationships between the cerebellar changes and depression severity in patients with post-stroke depression. Methods and Results: Data of demographic characteristics, individual history and life style of all subjects were collected. 40 patients with stroke and 20 controls were enrolled. All groups received T1WI, T2WI, DWI and 1 H-MRS examination. The cerebral infarction volume and the distribution and severity of leukoaraiosis were evaluated. The ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA in the cerebellum were calculated. There were no statistical significant difference in the NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios in bilateral cerebellum between CONT group and NORM group. The Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios in the cerebellum contralateral to the stroke region were higher in PSD group than those in NORM and CONT groups, and the Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios in the cerebellum ipsilateral to the stroke region were similar with those in NORM and CONT groups. However, there were no statistical significant difference in the NAA/Cr ratios in bilateral cerebellum among three groups. Conclusion: The result shows preliminarily that the cerebellum involves in the development of post-stroke depression.