Mr Spectroscopy In Neuropsychiatry

Neuropsychiatric disorders, covering both psychotic and depressive disorders, but also autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are characterized by abnormal behavior and brain structure. Accumulating evidence suggests that altered neurochemistry plays a role in these disorders and may have a causal relationship with the observed behavioral and structural abnormalities. To improve the understanding of neurochemical anomalies and (patho)physiological changes in psychiatric conditions, in vivo assessment of the affected tissue, the brain, is wanted and needed. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique which allows in vivo assessment of the molecular composition of brain tissues and identification of metabolites involved in physiological and pathological processes, which is otherwise virtually impossible. Only in the last decade with the development of high field MR methodologies, MRS has become sensitive enough for broader use in clinical studies. The implications are many, but proper guidance and elucidation of the pros and cons for the specific methods is needed to optimally exploit the potential. This Research Topic updates the reader on the possibilities and pitfalls of MRS today and highlights methodologies and applications for the future.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a modality available on most clinical MR scanners and readily integrated with standard MR imaging (MRI). For the brain in particular, MRS has been a powerful research tool providing additional clinically relevant information for several disease families such as brain tumors, metabolic disorders, and systemic diseases. The most widely-available MRS method, proton (1H; hydrogen) spectroscopy, is FDA approved for general use in the US and can be ordered by clinicians for patient studies if indicated. There are several books available that describe applications of MRS in adults. However, to the best of our knowledge there is currently no book available that focuses exclusively on applications in pediatrics. MR spectroscopy in the pediatric population is different from adults for two main reasons. Particularly in the newborn phase the brain undergoes biochemical maturation with dramatic changes of the "normal" biochemical fingerprint. Secondly, brain diseases in the pediatric population are different from adult disorders. For example, brain tumors, which are mostly gliomas in the adults, often originate from different cell types and are also more diverse even within the same type and grade of tumor. This diversity of diseases and its implications for MR spectroscopy has not been addressed sufficiently in the literature, we believe. The target audience for "MR Spectroscopy of Pediatric Brain Disorders" are thus both clinicians and researchers involved with pediatric brain disorders. This includes radiologists, neurologists, neurooncologists, neurosurgeons, and more broadly the neuroscience and neurobiology community. This book will provide the necessary background information to understand the basics of MR spectroscopy. This will be followed by a detailed discussion of the normal biochemical maturation which will highlight the metabolic differences between the pediatric and adult brain. Thereafter, in SECTION I individual chapters will address various pediatric brain disease families. Of particular importance for pediatrics are case studies. For that reason, SECTION II will contain a large number of case studies. This will be particularly important for clinicians who may want to see examples of MRS for various conditions. A standardized format will be used for case reports that allow the reader to quickly understand the history of each case presented and the significance of the findings. The case reports will also include information from other imaging modalities to point out any added value of MRS in addition to conventional studies and clinical information. This section is necessary because the format of providing more complete information about individual patients is not practical for the chapters in SECTION I.

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.

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

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.

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".

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.

The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress in psychiatric neuroimaging research. Investigators have developed, in tandem with significant advances in imaging technology, innovative strategies for exploiting the awesome potential of these new tools. This volume brings you up to date on the latest developments by providing insight into the methodology of experimental design of the numerous neuroimaging articles being published in today's peer-reviewed journals. Revealing the remarkable wealth of neuroimaging's potential contributions to psychiatry, 49 distinguished contributors use accounts of their own research to illustrate the power of particular paradigmatic techniques. These techniques hold promise not only for delineating pathophysiology and advancing neuroscience, but also for yielding discoveries of direct clinical significance, such as diagnostic testing, predictors of treatment response, and new medications. Focused specifically on applications in psychiatry, these chapters are uniquely organized around experimental paradigms rather than psychiatric disorders: Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect and characterize subtle, easily overlooked abnormalities in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder. Testing specific hypotheses regarding the functional integrity of implicated neural systems within the brain as part of cognitive activation studies of schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Assessing the roles of the amygdala and striatum in anxiety disorders, including masked stimuli and other task manipulation methods to assay nonconscious brain activity. Investigating the neural correlates of psychiatric symptoms in anxiety disorders, using script-driven imagery and in vivo exposure to experimentally manipulate study conditions. Capturing the often elusive symptoms of hallucinations and psychomotor tics using innovative imaging techniques. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate how the brain regulates mood. Other fascinating topics include using positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to discern the therapeutic mechanisms of psychotropic medications and enhance the development of new medications; integrating structural and functional imaging to treat major depression; using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify brain concentrations of exogenous compounds; using MRI to visualize circuits implicated in developmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, including ground-breaking studies of children; using functional MRI in animals and its applications in psychiatric research; and exploring the use of neuroimaging methods to investigate genetic contributions to normal cognitive function. Specialists and general clinicians alike will find much of interest in this definitive look at the exciting developments in neuroimaging today and how they can enhance our understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders. This comprehensive text with its extensive illustrations and annotations will also prove a welcome addition to any course in the neurosciences.