Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to investigate the temporal lobes of 25 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Spectra were obtained from 2 × 2 × 2 cm cubes in the medial region of the temporal lobe, and were analyzed on the basis of signals from N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr), and choline-containing compounds (Cho). In comparison with control subjects, the temporal lobes ipsilateral to the seizure focus showed a mean reduction of 22% in the NAA signal, with a 15% increase in the Cr signal and a 25% increase in the Cho signal. There were smaller effects in the contralateral temporal lobes. These spectral abnormalities may reflect neuronal loss..