Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy In Multiple Sclerosis

Recent years have witnessed dramatic advances in the development and use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that can provide quantitative measures with some degree of pathological specificity for the heterogeneous substrates of multiple sclerosis (MS). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is one of the most promising of these techniques. Thanks to MRS, axonal damage is no longer considered an end-stage phenomenon typical of only the most destructive lesions and the most unfortunate cases, but rather as a major component of the MS pathology of lesions and normal-appearing white matter at all the phases of the disease. This new concept is rapidly changing our understanding of MS pathophysiology and, as a consequence, the therapeutic strategies to modify the disease course favorably. Many of the authors have pionereed the use of MRS in MS, thus contributing to the foundation of the "axonal hypothesis".

In the past few years there have been impressive advances in the implementation of modern MRI techniques for the assessment of MS patients with the ultimate goal to define MRI markers of MS evolution. The authors of this volume not only review these new techniques, such as magnetization transfer (MT) MRI, diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI and proton MR spectroscopy (MRS), that are increasingly being used to monitor MS evolution, but also those, such as functional MRI (fMRI), cell-specific MRI, perfusion MRI, and microscopic imaging with ultra-high field MRI, that are emerging as additional promising tools for improving our understanding of MS pathophysiology. Strengths and weaknesses of all these modern quantitative MRI techniques for the study of MS are extensively covered in this book. The book also provides a valuable summary of the state of the art.

This volume is a practical guide to the technique and most frequent clinical applications of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain. Using more than 500 images, the authors present the fundamentals of MRS in a straightforward fashion and show radiologists and neurologists how to recognize normal and disease processes on scans. The book presents the spectra of the most common neurological disease entities, along with the conventional images and perfusion and diffusion where appropriate. The authors thoroughly describe the pathology and key MRS features of each disease process. Each chapter ends with a quick-reference summary of the main findings.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy are powerful tools for demonstrating and monitoring pathological processes of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis (MS), a common and as yet incurable disease of the brain and spinal cord, is being studied intensively using these techniques. They perform a major role in facilitating the diagnosis, understanding the mechanisms of symptoms, and monitoring the effect of new treatments. Written by experts in the field, this extensively illustrated text provides a comprehensive review of the benefits and limitations of MR in the study of MS. Coverage ranges through the contributions of MR, the variety of techniques available, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, MR as a predictor of the clinical course, MR views of pathophysiology, and finally monitoring new treatment efficacy.

Covers all MR spectroscopy techniques and their clinical applications in neurological disorders, malignancies and musculoskeletal diseases.

The Advances in Neurochemistry series was initiated for a readership of neuroscientists with a background in biochemistry. True to this concept, the present volume brings together various applications of magnetic resonance technology to advance our knowledge of how the nervous system functions. Whether at the cellular, tissue slice, or intact organism level. magnetic resonance techniques are by their nature noninvasive, and thus provide a window through which biochemical reactions can be viewed without grinding, binding, or other wise perturbing ongoing physiological processes. As technological improve ments in methodology, such as higher and more uniform magnetic fields, novel paradigms for data analysis, etc. , are made, we find increased sensitivity and improved temporal and spatial resolution for functional imaging techniques on the one hand, and better separation of signals that identify chemical properties in spectral shift studies, on the other. It is upon knowledge such as is described in the twelve chapters that follow, that further advances in scientific discovery and the biomedical applications of tomorrow will be based. We are grateful to Dr. Bachelard, the Volume Editor, and to the authors of the individual chapters for their efforts. We also note that with this volume Dr. Morris Aprison, a co-founder of the Advances in Neurochemistry series has stepped down and acknowledge with thanks his major role in its inception. In addition, we thank our past and present Advisory Editors. Bernard W. Agranoff Kunihiko Suzuki Series Editors ix CONTENTS LIST OF SYMBOLS AND GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . XXI INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Demonstrates how MRS offers a useful tool for the noninvasive biochemical analysis of the brain. The book covers over 70 clinical cases and more than 100 spectra that enhance skills at interpreting MRS, including minimizing errors, highlighting artifacts, and expanding the clinical usefulness of this diagnostic modality.

This issue focuses on MR Spectroscopy (MRS) for neuroimaging. Topics include MRS for Common Dementias, Epilepsy, Metabolic Disorders, Hypoxic-isquemic Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Brain Infections, Pediatric Brain Tumors, Adult Brain Neoplasms.