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Abstract #1802

MRS Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1): Current and Future Potential

Uzay E. Emir1, Diane Hutter1, Khalaf O. Bushara1, Christopher M. Gomez2, Lynn E. Eberly1, Gulin Oz1

1University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; 2University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States


A prior MRS study demonstrated neurochemical alterations in SCA1 using a 4T research scanner, however the feasibility of reliably detecting neurochemical alterations on clinical platforms remains to be investigated. We measured neurochemical profiles in the cerebellum and brainstem of patients with SCA1 and controls by 3T and 7T 1H MRS. Concentrations of major metabolites obtained at 3T and 7T were strongly correlated. Prior findings at 4T were reproduced at both 3T and 7T. In addition, the increased sensitivity at 7T enabled the reliable quantification of a higher number of neurochemicals than at 3T and the detection of additional neurochemical alterations.