ABSTRACT
Objective To identify the metabolic levels in prefrontal lobe in patients with post-concussion syndrome by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), and to explore the relationship between metabolic levels and executive function. Methods The study was conducted in 40 patients with post-concussion syndrome and 20 normal controls. 1H-MRS on prefrontal lobe was performed in patients and controls, the NAA, Cho and Cr were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and NAA/(Cho + Cr) were determined. They were also evaluated executive functions by verbal fluency test (animal), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT) and Tower of Hanoi (TOH). Results Compared with normal controls, the patients with post-concussion syndrome were significantly lower NAA/Cr and NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratios in left prefrontal lobe (P < 0.05). The NAA/Cr ratio in left prefrontal was significantly positive correlated with total scores of verbal fluency (r = 0.66, P < 0.05), categories of WSCT (r = 0.54,P < 0.05) and total score of TOH(r = 0.58, P < 0.05). The NAA/Cr ratio was significantly negative correlated with total errors (r = -0.53, P < 0.05) and persistent errors (r = -0.47, P < 0.05) of WSCT and mean executive time of TOH(r = -0.67, P < 0.05). Conclusions The metabolic levels of NAA in left prefrontal lobe in patients with post-concussion syndrome is significantly decreased , it is one cause of impaired executive functions.