Quantitative N-Acetylaspartate and Creatine Metabolites in Cortical and Subcortical Regions in PD patients with cognitive impairment

Motivation: N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) are two brain metabolites implicated in neuronal functions. The potential role of MRS as in vivo molecular imaging biomarker is controversial. Goal(s): Quantitative the concentration of NAA and tCr of posterior cingulate gyrus (PCC) and Thalamus (Tha) in Parkinson’s disease patients with (PDCI) and without mild cognitive impairment (PDN). Approach: Single voxel 1H-MRS technology combined with Lcmodel software were used. Results: Patients with PDCI showed significantly reduced concentrations of NAA and tCr both in PCC and left Tha regions. Both in PCC and left Tha, the reduction of NAA accompanying with decreasing of tCr. Impact: Comparison of PCC and Tha MRS profiles across cognitive impairment provides useful information for tracking cognitive decline in PD progress. Cortical (via PCC) and subcortical (via Tha) NAA and tCr are promising biomarkers in characterizing PD cognitive stage deficits.