Nonedited 1 H NMR lactate/ n ‐acetyl aspartate ratios and the in vivo determination of lactate concentration in brain

The 1 H lactate/ n ‐acetyl aspartate ratio is commonly used for the quantitation of brain lactate under pathological conditions. We demonstrate that the intensity of the lactate methyl region in water‐suppressed, nonedited 1 H spectra increases following mild brain trauma as a result of factors other than lactate accumulation. © 1988 Academic Press, Inc.