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Dev Neurosci 2017 27;39(5):413-429. Epub 2017 Jun 27.

Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.

During human brain development, anatomic regions mature at different rates. Quantitative anatomy-specific analysis of longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data may improve our ability to quantify and categorize these maturational changes. Computational tools designed to quickly fuse and analyze imaging information from multiple, technically different datasets would facilitate research on changes during normal brain maturation and for comparison to disease states. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2008 Feb;25(2):94-103

Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.

We sought to extend previous research that demonstrates reduced neurometabolite concentrations during the chronic phase of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children injured during early childhood. We hypothesized that young children with TBI in the chronic phase post-injury would have lower N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) metabolite concentrations in gray and white matter in comparison to controls. We also hypothesized that metabolite levels would be correlated with acute TBI severity and neurobehavioral skills. Read More

J Neurosurg 2008 Jan;108(1):42-52

Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, 23298-0508, USA.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to demonstrate the posttraumatic neurochemical damage in normal-appearing brain and to assess mitochondrial dysfunction by measuring N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in patients with severe head injuries, using proton (1H) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy.

Methods: Semiquantitative analysis of NAA relative to creatine-containing compounds (Cr) and choline (Cho) was carried out from proton spectra obtained by means of chemical shift (CS) imaging and single-voxel (SV) methods in 25 patients with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) (Glasgow Coma Scale scores < or = 8) using a 1.5-tesla MR unit. Read More

Acta Neurochir Suppl 2005 ;95:149-51

Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23219, USA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of mitochondrial injury by assessing N-Acetyl-Aspartate by MR spectroscopy in head injured patients and relating the extent of mitochondrial injury to outcome. The study population (n = 15) consisted of head injured patients (GCS < 8) in whom legal consent was obtained for MRS studies. Studies were performed on a 1. Read More

Neurosurgery 2005 Jul;57(1):164-71; discussion 164-71

Department of Neurosciences, Sport Neurotraumatology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Objective: We evaluated the effects of two consecutive concussive injuries on brain energy metabolism and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to investigate how the temporal interval between traumatic events influences overall injury severity.

Methods: Rats were injured to induce diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI) (mild, 450 g/1 m; severe, 450 g/2 m). In two groups, two mild TBIs were delivered in 3- or 5-day intervals. Read More