Serial proton spectroscopy in a case of adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Psychiatry Res. 2005 Aug 30;139(3):269-73. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2005.01.003.

Abstract

A case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a 27-year-old man was serially evaluated with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Metabolic abnormalities included decreased N-acetylaspartate and elevated choline and myo-inositol in a lesion visible on magnetic resonance imaging and in normal-appearing white matter. Lactate appeared increased within the lesion. Metabolic impairment was persistent after intrathecal interferon-alpha treatment. Spectroscopy pointing to ongoing inflammation, gliosis, and possible membrane turnover was more sensitive than imaging in detecting widespread pathology within the white matter.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aspartic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Aspartic Acid / metabolism
  • Choline / metabolism
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Inositol / metabolism
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy*
  • Male
  • Protons*
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychotic Disorders / etiology
  • Psychotic Disorders / therapy
  • Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / complications
  • Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / drug therapy
  • Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / metabolism*
  • Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Protons
  • Aspartic Acid
  • Inositol
  • N-acetylaspartate
  • Choline