Meeting Banner
Abstract #0490

Reduced Hippocampal NAA/Choline in Blast Related Traumatic Brain Injury with Memory Impairment: A 7T MRSI Study

Hoby Hetherington1, Hamada Hamid2, Rebecca Czlapinski2, Jullie Pan1, Faris Bandak3, Geoffrey Ling3, Nihal deLanerolle1

1Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; 2Neurology, West Haven VA, West Haven, CT, United States; 3Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States

Mild traumatic brain injury due to explosive blast exposure has gained attention for its prevalence in recent conflicts and a lack of positive imaging correlates in conventional MRIs. Despite the absence of conventional MRI findings, these patients express a constellation of ongoing deficits including memory dysfunction, migraines, and a variety of behavioral changes. Using high resolution MRSI at 7T we have measured a significant decline in NAA/Ch (p<0.05) from the anterior hippocampi in patients exposed to blast with self-reported memory dysfunction. These findings are consistent with the anatomical localization of memory function (hippocampus and temporal lobe).

Abstract PDF Presentation Video

Keywords

absence according alterations amongst anatomical anterior array attention automated behavioral bilaterally blast blasts blue boxes brain check choline civilian conflicts consistent constellation control controls correlates decline declines decreases decrements deficits despite detect determine displayed displays distinct distribution distributions document dramatic dysfunction element encodes equivalent excitation explosive exposed exposure express features findings formation gained goal grid haven health healthy heterogeneity homogeneous impairment impairments individual injury inset lack largest length ling lobe localization location locations loci memory metabolic metabolite migraines mild neurology neurosurgery ongoing outer patient patients place pooled position positive posterior presence prevalence previous recent reconstructed reconstructions reduced reductions refocusing related reported resolution ring sciences self semi services side slice solid spectra studies subject subjects suppression temporal thick transceiver traumatic uniformed variety volume water west