PROTON SPECTROSCOPY OF BRAIN GLUTAMINE IN ACUTE LIVER-FAILURE

Evidence indicates that the accumulation of glutamine in the brain pla ys an important role in the pathogenesis and severity of the encephalo pathy of acute liver failure (ALF). This study uses in vivo proton mag netic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 MRS) to assess brain glutamine (GLN) iii five cases of acute liver failure. The findings are consistent wi th prior investigations and suggest that the alpha 1H of the GLN molec ule can be used for noninvasive spectroscopic quantitation of brain GL N in patients with ALF.