open access
The influence of the menstrual cycle on the result of brain examination with hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy – a pilot study
- 1 st Department of Radiology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
- Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, N. Vapcarov Bul 51B, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
open access
Abstract
Hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) is nowadays one of the basic tools for noninvasive brain metabolism assessment. The study focuses on the important problem of the influence of hormone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle on brain metabolism, assessed by 1HMRS for clinical diagnostics.
Material and methodsIn 11 healthy regularly menstruating women, 1HMRS was performed at the start (phase I), in the middle (phase II) and at the end (phase III) of the menstrual cycle. The relative concentration ratios of 12 brain metabolites in every woman in all cycle phases were examined, in 6 different volumes of interest (VOIs). Finally, statistically significant differences in relative metabolite ratios between the phases examined in given locations were sought.
ResultsStatistically significant relations between menstrual cycle phases and relative ratios of 4 metabolites – Lac/Cr, NAA/Cr, Glx1/Cr and Glx2/Cr – in different brain locations were found. In all locations, mean NAA/Cr ratios were greater in phase I compared to the other phases. A similar relationship was found for Glx1/Cr ratio in one location (left occipital lobe). For Lac/Cr and Glx2/Cr ratios, a higher mean ratio value was obtained in phase II compared to phases I and III in the right occipital lobe and left basal ganglia, respectively.
ConclusionsMenstrual cycle phase should be considered in planning a date and interpretation of 1HMRS examination, performed for the verification of a disease manifesting as brain metabolite disturbances in the 1HMRS spectrum.
Abstract
Hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) is nowadays one of the basic tools for noninvasive brain metabolism assessment. The study focuses on the important problem of the influence of hormone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle on brain metabolism, assessed by 1HMRS for clinical diagnostics.
Material and methodsIn 11 healthy regularly menstruating women, 1HMRS was performed at the start (phase I), in the middle (phase II) and at the end (phase III) of the menstrual cycle. The relative concentration ratios of 12 brain metabolites in every woman in all cycle phases were examined, in 6 different volumes of interest (VOIs). Finally, statistically significant differences in relative metabolite ratios between the phases examined in given locations were sought.
ResultsStatistically significant relations between menstrual cycle phases and relative ratios of 4 metabolites – Lac/Cr, NAA/Cr, Glx1/Cr and Glx2/Cr – in different brain locations were found. In all locations, mean NAA/Cr ratios were greater in phase I compared to the other phases. A similar relationship was found for Glx1/Cr ratio in one location (left occipital lobe). For Lac/Cr and Glx2/Cr ratios, a higher mean ratio value was obtained in phase II compared to phases I and III in the right occipital lobe and left basal ganglia, respectively.
ConclusionsMenstrual cycle phase should be considered in planning a date and interpretation of 1HMRS examination, performed for the verification of a disease manifesting as brain metabolite disturbances in the 1HMRS spectrum.
Keywords
menstrual cycle, brain metabolism, 1HMRS
Title
The influence of the menstrual cycle on the result of brain examination with hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy – a pilot study
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
450-455
Page views
400
Article views/downloads
323
DOI
10.5114/ninp.2013.38224
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2013;47(5):450-455.
Keywords
menstrual cycle
brain metabolism
1HMRS
Authors
Robert Chrzan
Monika Tomaszuk
Andrzej Urbanik