Abnormal metabolic brain imaging by MRS

What it means

An anomaly of metabolism in the brain identified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

MRS can only detect a few metabolites as least millimolar concentrations are necessary for the metabolites to be detected. The major brain metabolites detected are choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), lactate, myo-inositol, glutamine and glutamate, lipids, and the amino acids leucine and alanine.

Rare diseases that can present with this4

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category