ABSTRACT
This study was made to investigate serial metabolic changes in frontal lobes of patients with deep intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH] to found any correlation between N-acetylaspartate [NAA] and degree of motor impairment or clinical outcome. Forty three patients with deep ICH were examined with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy by multivoxel method [voxel=10 X 10 X 20 mm; 64 voxels]. NAA/creatine ratios in the white matter of the primary motor and premotor areas on both sides were measured sequentially: within 48 hours, at 2 weeks, and 1 month after onset using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale We found, in the primary motor area on the affected side, the NAA/ creatine ratio decreased sequentially. At 48 hours and 2 weeks after onset, a negative correlation was detected between NAA/creatine and hematoma volume, but there was no correlation 1 month later. At 2 weeks, NAA/ creatine correlated negatively with motor impairment. In conclusions, there is delayed gradual reduction of NAA/creatine ratio in the frontal lobes correlating with motor deficit and clinical outcome after deep ICH