An MRI protocol for anatomical and functional evaluation of the California sea lion brain.

Background: Domoic acid (DOM) is a neurotoxin produced by some harmful algae blooms in coastal waters. California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) exposed to DOM often strand on beaches where they exhibit a variety of symptoms, including seizures. These animals typically show hippocampal atrophy on MRI scans.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): A chemical shift reference for H MRS of human brain.

Purpose: We investigate the potential of a common dietary supplement, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), to act as a chemical shift reference for in vivo H MR spectroscopy (MRS). The scope of the investigation is 2-fold: (1) We use high-resolution nuclear MR (NMR) measurements of the chemical shift values of MSM to establish the stability of MSM resonance across the ranges of pH and temperature, and (2) we demonstrate MR properties of MSM in the healthy human brain.

Methods: The relationship of chemical shift with temperature and pH is examined using high-resolution H NMR (14.