Abstract
Background: Study of brain metabolites using 1 HMRS in children with cerebral palsy.
Aim of Work: To study the metabolite changes in the basal ganglia of children with CP in comparison with a normal control group of the same age by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS).
Material and Methods: Thirty children with different types of CP with associated developmental delay were exam-ined. Different types of CP were included (spastic, dyskinetic, dystonic or choreo-athetoid and ataxic CP). The control group consisted of twenty normally developing children. The relative concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), myo-inositol (mI), creatine (Cr) and their combinations within 1 cm3 brain multi voxels were measured.
Results: Children with CP showed reduced ratios of NAA: Cr, NAA: Cho, mI: Cr in the basal ganglia and the increased ratio of NAA: mI and CHO: CR in relation to that of the control group. There was age-dependency increase in NAA: Cr and NAA: Cho in the basal ganglia. Metabolites ratio differs according to the severity of CP.
Conclusion: MRS plays a promising role in evaluating children with cerebral palsy and also in determining the degree of learning disability aiming at a better rehabilitation of children with CP.