N-ACETYL-ASPARTATE ABNORMALITIES IN INTER NAL-TEMPORAL EPILEPTICUS FOCUS USING PROTON MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

The aim of this study was to characterize the neurochemical abnormalit ies related to N-acetyl-aspartate which is a neuronal marker, within a n epilepticus focus located in the internal-temporal area, using proto n magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Eleven patients,with a mono-hippoca mpal epilepticus focus on clinical and per-critical electroencephalogr aphical criteria, were matched with II controls by age, sex and latera lity. Proton spectroscopy of a volume of 8 cm(3) was performed within the ipsilateral and the contralateral internal-temporal area and withi n the 2 hippocampus of controls. Volumetry of the ipsilateral and the contralateral hippocampus and of the 2 hippocampus of controls was per formed using resonance magnetic imaging All these measurements were pe rformed during the interictal stage. The results were concordant to sh ow a decrease of the ratio N-acetyl-aspartate/choline and N-acetyl-asp artate/creatine within the epilepticus focus, in relation with a hippo campal atrophy. This study finds similar results to those of other pre vious works. The decrease of N-acetyl-aspartate levels within the epil epticus focus could be related to a decrease of the neuronal cell dens ity. This procedure is able to show a decrease of the levels of this m etabolite within an internal temporal epilepticus focus and associated with a hippocampal atrophy.