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Evensen KAI, Aakvik KAD, Hollund IMH, Skranes J, Brubakk A, Indredavik MS. Multidisciplinary and neuroimaging findings in preterm born very low birthweight individuals from birth to 28 years of age: A systematic review of a Norwegian prospective cohort study. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022; 36:606-630. [PMID: 35867340 PMCID: PMC9542186 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children born preterm with very low birthweight (VLBW) face long-lasting neurodevelopmental challenges, where multidisciplinary assessments are warranted. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework for understanding and conceptualising these outcomes. OBJECTIVES We aimed to review clinical and neuroimaging findings from birth to adulthood in a Norwegian cohort of individuals born preterm with VLBW (gestational age <37 weeks, birthweight ≤1500 g) within the framework of ICF. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed and Embase for articles reporting results of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Low Birth Weight in a Lifetime Perspective study. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION We included original articles reporting proportions of adverse outcomes, mean group differences, risk factors or associations between outcomes. Data were extracted according to ICF's two-level classification. Body functions and structures comprised outcomes of brain structures, cognition, mental health, vision, pain and physical health. Activities and participation comprised motor skills, general and social functioning, education, employment, and health-related quality of life. SYNTHESIS We performed a qualitative synthesis of included articles. Where mean (SD) was reported, we calculated group differences in SD units. RESULTS Fifty-eight publications were included. Within body functions and structures, increased prevalence of brain structure pathology, lower cognitive performance, mental health problems, visual and physical health impairments through childhood, adolescence and young adulthood were reported among preterm VLBW participants compared with controls. Within activities and participation, motor problems, lower general and social functioning, and lower academic attainment were found. Perinatal factors were associated with several outcomes, and longitudinal findings suggested persistent consequences of being born preterm with VLBW. CONCLUSIONS Being born preterm with VLBW has long-term influences on body functions and structures, activities and participation. The ICF is appropriate for assessing general domains of functioning and guiding the management of individuals born preterm with VLBW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Anne I. Evensen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway,Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health SciencesOslo Metropolitan UniversityOsloNorway,Unit for Physiotherapy ServicesTrondheim MunicipalityTrondheimNorway
| | - Kristina Anna Djupvik Aakvik
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Ingrid Marie Husby Hollund
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway,Department of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationSt. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University HospitalTrondheimNorway
| | - Jon Skranes
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway,Department of PediatricsSørlandet HospitalArendalNorway
| | - Ann‐Mari Brubakk
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Marit S. Indredavik
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
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Altered brain metabolism contributes to executive function deficits in school-aged children born very preterm. Pediatr Res 2020; 88:739-748. [PMID: 32590836 PMCID: PMC7577839 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-1024-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Executive function deficits in children born very preterm (VPT) have been linked to anatomical abnormalities in white matter and subcortical brain structures. This study aimed to investigate how altered brain metabolism contributes to these deficits in VPT children at school-age. METHODS Fifty-four VPT participants aged 8-13 years and 62 term-born peers were assessed with an executive function test battery. Brain metabolites were obtained in the frontal white matter and the basal ganglia/thalami, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr), choline (Cho)/Cr, glutamate + glutamine (Glx)/Cr, and myo-Inositol (mI)/Cr were compared between groups and associations with executive functions were explored using linear regression. RESULTS In the frontal white matter, VPT showed lower Glx/Cr (mean difference: -5.91%, 95% CI [-10.50, -1.32]), higher Cho/Cr (7.39%, 95%-CI [2.68, 12.10]), and higher mI/Cr (5.41%, 95%-CI [0.18, 10.64]) while there were no differences in the basal ganglia/thalami. Lower executive functions were associated with lower frontal Glx/Cr ratios in both groups (β = 0.16, p = 0.05) and higher mI/Cr ratios in the VPT group only (interaction: β = -0.17, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION Long-term brain metabolite alterations in the frontal white matter may be related to executive function deficits in VPT children at school-age. IMPACT Very preterm birth is associated with long-term brain metabolite alterations in the frontal white matter. Such alterations may contribute to deficits in executive function abilities. Injury processes in the brain can persist for years after the initial insult. Our findings provide new insights beyond structural and functional imaging, which help to elucidate the processes involved in abnormal brain development following preterm birth. Ultimately, this may lead to earlier identification of children at risk for developing deficits and more effective interventions.
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Gasparovic C, Caprihan A, Yeo RA, Phillips J, Lowe JR, Campbell R, Ohls RK. The long-term effect of erythropoiesis stimulating agents given to preterm infants: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study on neurometabolites in early childhood. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48:374-382. [PMID: 29335880 PMCID: PMC5823776 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-017-4052-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) are neuroprotective in cell and animal models of preterm birth. Prematurity has been shown to alter neurometabolite levels in children in studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that ESA treatment in premature infants would tend to normalize neurometabolites by 4-6 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS Children in a longitudinal study of neurodevelopment underwent MRI and 1H-MRS at approximately 4 years and 6 years of age. Prematurely born children (500-1,250 g birth weight) received ESAs (erythropoietin or darbepoetin) or placebo during their neonatal hospitalization, and these groups were compared to healthy term controls. 1H-MRS spectra were obtained from the anterior cingulate (gray matter) and frontal lobe white matter, assessing combined N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNAA), myo-inositol, choline compounds (Cho), combined creatine and phosphocreatine, and combined glutamate and glutamine. RESULTS No significant (P≤0.5) group differences were observed for any metabolite level. Significant age-related increases in white-matter tNAA and Cho were observed, as well as a trend for increased gray-matter tNAA. CONCLUSION Neither prematurity nor neonatal ESA treatment was associated with differences in brain metabolite levels in the children of this study at a significance level of 0.05. These findings suggest that earlier differences that might have existed had normalized by 4-6 years of age or were too small to be statistically significant in the current sample.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ronald A. Yeo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - John Phillips
- Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM,Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jean R. Lowe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Richard Campbell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Robin K. Ohls
- Department of Pediatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Durlak W, Herman-Sucharska I, Urbanik A, Klimek M, Karcz P, Dutkowska G, Nitecka M, Kwinta P. Relationship between Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Frontoinsular Gray Matter and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Children at the Age of 4. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156064. [PMID: 27223474 PMCID: PMC4880287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Very low birth weight is associated with long term neurodevelopmental complications. Macroscopic brain abnormalities in prematurity survivors have been investigated in several studies. However, there is limited data regarding local cerebral metabolic status and neurodevelopmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between proton magnetic resonance spectra in basal ganglia, frontal white matter and frontoinsular gray matter, neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed with the Leiter scale and the Developmental Test of Visual Perception and selected socioeconomic variables in a cohort of very low birth weight children at the age of four. Children were divided in three groups based on the severity of neurodevelopmental impairment. There were no differences in spectroscopy in basal ganglia and frontal white matter between the groups. Lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) and myoinositol (mI) were observed in the frontoinsular cortex of the left hemisphere in children with neurodevelopmental impairment compared to children with normal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Higher parental education, daycare attendance and breastfeeding after birth were associated with more favorable neurodevelopmental prognosis, whereas rural residence was more prevalent in children with moderate and severe impairment. Our study demonstrates the role of long term neurometabolic disruption in the left frontoinsular cortex and selected socioeconomic variables in determination of neurodevelopmental prognosis in prematurity survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Durlak
- Department of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
| | - Izabela Herman-Sucharska
- Department of Electroradiology, Jagiellonian University, Michalowskiego 12, 31-126 Cracow, Poland
| | - Andrzej Urbanik
- Department of Radiology, Jagiellonian University, Kopernika 19, 31-501 Krakow, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Klimek
- Department of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
| | - Paulina Karcz
- Department of Electroradiology, Jagiellonian University, Michalowskiego 12, 31-126 Cracow, Poland
| | - Grażyna Dutkowska
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
| | - Magdalena Nitecka
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
| | - Przemko Kwinta
- Department of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Cracow, Poland
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Altered posterior cingulate brain metabolites and cognitive dysfunction in preterm adolescents. Pediatr Res 2016; 79:716-22. [PMID: 26821169 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2015.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extremely preterm (EP, <28 wk gestation) individuals have increased the risk of cognitive deficits compared with controls. The posterior cingulate region has an important role in cognitive function, but how this is affected by preterm birth is unknown. We aimed to compare brain metabolite ratios of neurons and cell membranes between EP 18-y olds and controls, and explore the association between metabolite ratios and cognitive outcomes. METHOD A regional cohort of 150 EP and 134 controls were recruited for the study. Cerebral metabolites were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) obtained from a left posterior cingulate voxel. Total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA, neuronal marker)/total creatine (tCr), and total choline (tCho, cell membrane marker)/tCr ratios were compared between groups using linear regression. Metabolite ratios were correlated with tests of general intelligence (IQ), memory, and attention using linear or logistic regression. RESULTS Compared with controls, EP had lower tNAA/tCr (mean difference (95% CI) of -2.27% (-4.09, -0.45)) and tCho/tCr (mean difference (95% CI) of -11.11% (-20.37, -1.85)), all P = 0.02. Higher tCho/tCr correlated with better IQ in the EP group only; whereas higher tNAA/tCr ratios correlated with better scores in working memory and attention in both groups. CONCLUSION EP birth is associated with long-term brain metabolite ratio alterations. This may underlie poorer cognitive performance in EP survivors.
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Sanz-Cortes M, Simoes RV, Bargallo N, Masoller N, Figueras F, Gratacos E. Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Assessment of Fetal Brain Metabolism in Late-Onset ‘Small for Gestational Age' versus ‘Intrauterine Growth Restriction' Fetuses. Fetal Diagn Ther 2014; 37:108-16. [DOI: 10.1159/000365102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate brain metabolic differences in small fetuses near term as compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses. Study Design: 71 term small fetuses (estimated fetal weight <10th centile for gestational age with normal umbilical artery Doppler sonography) were subclassified as late intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (n = 50) or small for gestational age (SGA) (n = 21), and compared with 65 AGA fetuses. IUGR was defined by either abnormal middle cerebral artery, abnormal uterine artery Doppler sonography or estimated fetal weight <3rd centile. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging at 37 weeks of gestation, and single-voxel magnetic resonance spectra were obtained from the frontal lobe on a 3-tesla scanner. N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/choline (Cho), NAA/creatine (Cr) and Cho/Cr ratios were calculated and compared between cases and controls. The association of the metabolic ratios with the study groups was tested. Results: After MRS processing and applying quality control criteria, 31 spectra from late-onset IUGR, 11 from SGA and 30 from AGA fetuses were selected for further analysis. Both SGA and late-onset IUGR fetuses showed significantly reduced NAA/Cho levels when compared to AGA fetuses. This decrease followed a linear trend across the three clinical groups that were considered. Conclusions: Both SGA and late-onset IUGR fetuses showed differences in MRS brain metabolic ratios. The findings suggest that despite near-normal perinatal outcomes, SGA fetuses are not constitutionally small and may represent a form of growth disorder that needs to be clarified.
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Phillips JP, Ruhl D, Montague E, Gasparovic C, Caprihan A, Ohls RK, Schrader R, Lowe JR. Anterior cingulate and frontal lobe white matter spectroscopy in early childhood of former very LBW premature infants. Pediatr Res 2011; 69:224-9. [PMID: 21135758 PMCID: PMC3107034 DOI: 10.1203/pdr.0b013e3182091d52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Neurometabolic sequelae of children born at very LBW (VLBW) are not well characterized in early childhood. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and developmental assessments were acquired from children age 18-22 mo (16 VLBW/7 term) and 3-4 y (12 VLBW/8 term) from the anterior cingulate and left frontal periventricular white matter. Metabolites obtained included combined N-acetylaspartylglutamate and N-acetylaspartate (NAA), total choline-containing compounds (Cho), combined glutamate and glutamine (Glx), combined creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr), myoinositol (mI), and the following ratios: NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, Glx/Cr, mI/Cr, and NAA/Cho. Significant differences were present only in white matter: at 18-22 mo, NAA was decreased in VLBW children (p < 0.04), and at 3-4 y, VLBW children showed lower Cr (p < 0.01), lower NAA/Cho (p < 0.005), higher Glx/Cr (p < 0.02), and higher Cho/Cr (p < 0.005). On developmental testing, VLBW children scored lower on language expression (p < 0.05) and on the A-not-B test of early executive function (p < 0.01) at 18-22 mo and had lower verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) (p < 0.005), performance IQ (p < 0.04), and several measures of early executive function including the bear-dragon test (p < 0.004), gift delay (p < 0.07), and summary categorization score (p < 0.03) at 3-4 y. VLBW children may have neurometabolic and developmental abnormalities that persist at least through early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Phillips
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA.
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Sanz-Cortés M, Figueras F, Bargalló N, Padilla N, Amat-Roldan I, Gratacós E. Abnormal brain microstructure and metabolism in small-for-gestational-age term fetuses with normal umbilical artery Doppler. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2010; 36:159-165. [PMID: 20549770 DOI: 10.1002/uog.7724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess microstructural and metabolic brain differences between small-for-gestational age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) fetuses at 37 weeks' gestation by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spectroscopy and diffusion weighted imaging. METHODS Eight SGA and five matched AGA singleton fetuses, all with normal umbilical artery Doppler, were evaluated using MRI at 37 weeks to measure markers of brain microstructure and metabolism. The metabolic spectrum of N-acetyl-aspartate/choline, choline/creatine, inositol/choline and creatine/choline ratios in the left frontal lobe and the apparent diffusion coefficient from the right and left basal ganglia and frontal and occipital lobes, pyramidal tract and corpus callosum were analyzed and compared. RESULTS As compared with controls, SGA fetuses showed a significant increase in inositol/choline ratio (SGA, 0.57 vs. AGA, 0.25; P = 0.04) and significantly higher ADC values in the pyramidal tract (SGA, 119.87 x 10(-5) mm(2)/s vs. AGA, 105.11 x 10(-5) mm(2)/s; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS SGA fetuses with normal umbilical artery Doppler present microstructural and metabolic brain changes, suggesting the existence of an abnormal in-utero brain development in fetuses with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sanz-Cortés
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department, Institut Clinic de Ginecologia, Obstetricia i Neonatologia, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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Bathen TF, Christensen Løhaugen GC, Brubakk AM, Gribbestad IS, Axelson DE, Skranes J. Combining clinical assessment scores and in vivo MR spectroscopy neurometabolites in very low birth weight adolescents. Artif Intell Med 2009; 47:135-46. [PMID: 19411169 DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2008] [Revised: 12/04/2008] [Accepted: 04/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Very low birth weight (VLBW) survivors are at increased risk of neurological impairments that may persist into adolescence and adulthood. The aims of this study were to identify the most important clinical assessments that characterize differences between VLBW and control adolescents, and to look at the relationship between clinical assessments and the metabolites in in vivo MR spectra. METHODS At 14-15 years of age, 54 VLBW survivors and 64 term controls were examined clinically. Several neuropsychological and motor assessments were performed. The magnetic resonance (MR) brain spectra were acquired from volumes localized in the left frontal lobe and contained mainly white matter. RESULTS Probabilistic neural networks and support vector machines demonstrated that clinical assessments rendered a possibility of the classification of VLBW versus control adolescents. The most important clinical assessments in this classification were visual-motor integration, motor coordination, stroop test, full scale IQ, and grooved pegboard. Through the use of outer product analysis-partial least squares discriminant analysis on a subset of adolescents (n=36), the clinical assessments found to most strongly correlate with the spectral data were the global assessment scale, Wisconsin card sorting test, full scale IQ, grooved pegboard test, and motor coordination test. Clinical assessments that relate to spectral data may be especially dependent on an intact microstructure in frontal white matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tone F Bathen
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7489 Trondheim, Norway.
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Sjøbakk TE, Johansen R, Bathen TF, Sonnewald U, Kvistad KA, Lundgren S, Gribbestad IS. Metabolic profiling of human brain metastases using in vivo proton MR spectroscopy at 3T. BMC Cancer 2007; 7:141. [PMID: 17662122 PMCID: PMC1963335 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-7-141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 07/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastases to the central nervous system from different primary cancers are an oncologic challenge as the overall prognosis for these patients is generally poor. The incidence of brain metastases varies with type of primary cancer and is probably increasing due to improved therapies of extracranial metastases prolonging patient's overall survival and thereby time for brain metastases to develop. In addition, the greater access to improved neuroimaging techniques can provide earlier diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and multivariate analyses to characterize brain metastases originating from different primary cancers, to assess changes in spectra during radiation treatment and to correlate the spectra to clinical outcome after treatment. Methods Patients (n = 26) with brain metastases were examined using single voxel MRS at a 3T clinical MR system. Five patients were excluded due to poor spectral quality. The spectra were obtained before start (n = 21 patients), immediately after (n = 6 patients) and two months after end of treatment (n = 4 patients). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square regression analysis (PLS) were applied in order to identify clustering of spectra due to origin of metastases and to relate clinical outcome (survival) of the patients to spectral data from the first MR examination. Results The PCA results indicated that brain metastases from primary lung and breast cancer were separated into two clusters, while the metastases from malignant melanomas showed no uniformity. The PLS analysis showed a significant correlation between MR spectral data and survival five months after MRS before start of treatment. Conclusion MRS determined metabolic profiles analysed by PCA and PLS might give valuable clinical information when planning and evaluating the treatment of brain metastases, and also when deciding to terminate further therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torill E Sjøbakk
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
| | - Roar Johansen
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tone F Bathen
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ursula Sonnewald
- Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
| | - Kjell A Kvistad
- Department of Radiology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Steinar Lundgren
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Oncology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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