Elevated brain choline level by MRS

What it means

An increase in the level of choline-containing compounds in the brain identified by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

The Choline (Cho) peak is a heterogeneous peak representing various choline-containing compounds such as acetylcholine, phosphocholine (lecithin), glycerophosphocholine, and various other intermediates of phospholipids metabolism. It is an indicator of cell density and cell wall turnover. Elevated levels are found in tumors, especially malignant ones, and in certain demyelinating diseases. Choline resonance presents at 3.22 ppm. Studies have shown there is also a direct association between Cho and levels of Ki-67, a protein expressed in all phases of the cell cycle except GO that serves as a good marker for cellular proliferation. This observation makes Cho a reliable predictor of cellular activity in tumor tissue.

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