Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy provides a chemical fingerprint unique to tissues and pathology.
MRI shows what the brain looks like (structure). MR spectroscopy (MRS) shows how the brain tissue is behaving (chemistry). MR spectroscopy is used to analyze tissue metabolism, measuring metabolites at concentrations 10,000 times lower than conventional MRI.
MR spectroscopy adds only a few minutes to a standard MRI exam and uses the same MRI machine already in your facility.
Structure
What the brain looks like. Anatomy, shape, volume.
Chemistry
How brain tissue is behaving. Metabolites, biomarkers, function.
Each metabolite provides a unique window into brain health. We quantify these biomarkers and compare them to established reference intervals.
Neuronal health marker.
NAA is useful in diagnosing brain conditions like tumors, head injuries, and dementias by quantifying neuronal damage. Elevated NAA levels occur during recovery and in Canavan disease, a genetic disorder with reduced NAA-deacylase activity, causing NAA buildup.
Membrane turnover marker.
Choline is a metabolite known for its significance in cell membrane turnover and cell proliferation. It is often measured in tissues, including the brain, where elevated choline levels can be indicative of increased cell membrane synthesis and cell density.
Energy metabolism.
Creatine is the central energy marker of both neurons and astrocytes and remains relatively constant. For that reason, it is often used as an internal reference for comparison to other metabolites.
Glial cell / inflammation marker.
Myo-Inositol is a measurable metabolite recognized for its role in cellular osmoregulation and signal transduction. Deviations in myo-Inositol levels can provide insights into conditions such as neuroinflammation or certain neurological disorders.
Glutamate is a detectable metabolite central to neurotransmission and brain function using MRS. Changes in glutamate concentrations may signify neurological conditions or synaptic activity alterations.
Glutamine is a metabolite linked to amino acid and neurotransmitter processes that is measurable with MRS. Changes in glutamine levels can signal conditions like neurodegenerative diseases or neurotransmitter pathway disruptions.
Anaerobic metabolism marker.
Lactate results from cellular glycolysis when oxygen is limited, as seen in conditions like hypoxia, ischemia, or certain tumors. Elevated lactate levels can indicate underlying pathological conditions.