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Functional diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the human primary visual cortex at 7 T
Author(s) -
Branzoli Francesca,
Techawiboonwong Aranee,
Kan Hermien,
Webb Andrew,
Ronen Itamar
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.24542
Subject(s) - effective diffusion coefficient , nuclear magnetic resonance , diffusion , visual cortex , chemistry , metabolite , stimulation , creatine , choline , activation energy , spectroscopy , magnetic resonance imaging , neuroscience , biochemistry , physics , medicine , biology , quantum mechanics , radiology , thermodynamics
Purpose: Microstructural and metabolic changes directly related to neuronal activation have been investigated using functional diffusion‐weighted spectroscopy. Methods: The volume of interest was positioned in the primary visual cortex. A time series of alternating diffusion‐ and non‐diffusion‐weighted 1 H spectra was acquired at 7 T employing stimulated echo acquisition mode sequence and a long diffusion time (Δ = 245 ms). Time‐resolved series of metabolite apparent diffusion coefficient values were derived. Results: Significant increases in apparent diffusion coefficient of 3.3 ± 1.4% ( p = 0.05) and 3.9 ± 0.9% ( p = 0.002) for total n‐acetyl aspartate and total creatine, respectively, and 8.1 ± 2.5% ( p = 0.03) for total choline were observed in response to visual stimulation. Conclusion: The increase in apparent diffusion coefficient for these metabolites is a potential indication for microstructural changes in neurons during neural activation and/or for an increase in the energy‐dependent cytoplasmic streaming associated with enhanced metabolism during visual stimulation. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.