Purpose: To evaluate signal changes in the hippocampus of epileptic seizure rat models, based on quantified creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) signals.
Procedures: CEST data and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) data were obtained for the two imaging groups: control (CTRL) and epileptic seizure-induced (ES; via kainic acid [KA] injection) groups. CrCEST signals in the hippocampal regions were quantitatively evaluated; correlations between CrCEST signals and phosphocreatine (PCr) and total creatine (tCr; PCr + Cr) concentrations, derived from the analysis of 1H MRS data, were investigated as a function of time changes (before KA injection, 3 and 5 h after KA injection).
Results: Measured CrCEST signals were exhibited significant differences between before and after KA injection in the ES group. At each time point, CrCEST signals showed significant correlations with PCr concentration (all |r| > 0.59; all P < 0.05); no significant correlations were found between CrCEST signals and tCr concentrations (all |r| < 0.22; all P > 0.05).
Conclusions: CrCEST can adequately detect changes in the concentration of Cr as a result of energy metabolism, and may serve as a potentially useful tool for diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in epilepsy.
Keywords: Chemical exchange saturation transfer; Creatine; Epilepsy; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Phosphocreatine.