Use of 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the effect of cortical magnesium and energy metabolism after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: Flow metabolism coupling ensures adequate cerebral oxygenation. When subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) occurs, the flow metabolism coupling lost its balance and results in cerebral ischemia and infarction second to cortical magnesium and energy metabolism alternation. During chronic vasospasm, change in cortical energy metabolism is coupled with change in cerebral blood flow after SAH.

Methods: What kind of noninvasive technique can be used to directly investigate the biochemical environment in the SAH brain? Studies showed that (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) is ideally suited to evaluate the pathophysiology of SAH, especially for cortical magnesium and energy metabolism.

Results: The results showed that cortical magnesium and energy metabolism were significantly decreased in both animal models and human beings after SAH by using (31)P MRS, which is associated with the severity and outcome of SAH, especially after aneurysmal SAH.

Conclusion: (31)P MRS data, combined with other MRI sequences, provide a comprehensive assessment of both structural and functional deficits and a guidance on clinical therapy for SAH.