Spectroscopic imaging of the uptake kinetics of human brain ethanol

Previous measurements of the ratio of brain to Venous blood alcohol have ra nged from 21-100%, depending on the experimental model, pulse sequence, and the concentration reference used. The goal of this study was to evaluate t he uptake kinetics and visibility of brain ethanol in comparison to Venous blood levels using a pulse sequence that minimizes uncertainties due to dif ferences in J-modulation, T-1, and T-2 between ethanol and the concentratio n standard. This was achieved using a short TE (24 msec) spin echo sequence with a semiselective refocusing pulse to minimize J-modulation losses of t he ethanol. Brain ethanol levels were measured with 10-min time resolution using a 16 x 16 spectroscopic imaging matrix with nominal voxels of 1.44 cc . During the course of the study, the brain/blood alcohol ratio declined fr om a Value of 1.54 +/- 0.74 at 35 min after drinking to a final Value of 0. 93 +/- 0.16 at 85 min postdrinking. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.