Post-surgical changes in brain metabolism detected by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in normal pressure hydrocephalus: results of a pilot study.

Background: Adult normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is one of the few potentially treatable causes of dementia. Some morphological and functional abnormalities attributed to hydrocephalus improve following treatment.

Objectives: We focused on analysis of changes in cerebral metabolites using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) after NPH treatment, and its clinical and cognitive correlation.

Methods: 1H-MRS, neuropsychological and clinical status examinations were performed before and 6 months after shunting in 12 adults with idiopathic NPH. We obtained N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), myoinositol (MI) and creatine (Cr) values.

Results: After surgery, NAA/Cr was significantly increased. Moreover, NAA/Cr values were related to cognitive deterioration.

Conclusion: MRS could be a marker of neuronal dysfunction in NPH.