Measurements of human brain ethanol T(2) by spectroscopic imaging at 4 T

Magn Reson Med. 2000 Jul;44(1):35-40. doi: 10.1002/1522-2594(200007)44:1<35::aid-mrm7>3.0.co;2-g.

Abstract

Previous MRS measurements of ethanol in human brain have yielded a range of transverse relaxation times for ethanol methyl resonance at 1.5 T (200-380 ms). To determine the T(2) of the methyl proton resonance of ethanol in human brain, 8 x 8 spectroscopic images were acquired at 16 different TE values. A frequency-selective refocusing pulse was used to suppress J-modulation of the ethanol triplet, permitting nonintegral multiples of 1/J to be used for TE values. The measured T(2) values for the methyl resonances of ethanol, creatine, and N-acetyl aspartate in mixed tissues were 82 +/- 12, 148 +/- 20, and 227 +/- 25 ms, respectively. Regression analysis of the measured T(2) as a function of gray matter content indicates a shorter T(2) value for ethanol in pure white matter compared to that in pure gray matter. Magn Reson Med 44:35-40, 2000.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Ethanol / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Linear Models
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Ethanol