Different approaches of aspartate approximation in MEGA-PRESS 1H MRS spectra

Abstract

Changes in Aspartate (Asp) concentrations are a potential biomarker of malate-aspartate shuttle dysfunction, as well as disturbances in the synthesis of NAA. J-difference editing allows the detection of a resolved Asp signal at δAsp ≈ 2.71ppm. This resonance has a complex shape and therefore approximation of the Asp signal is a challenging task. In our study we compare the performance of six Asp-approximation models applied to data from three brain regions (anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC), dorsolateral pre-frontal area (DLPFA) and visual cortex (VC)). A model consisting of four Gauss signals shows the best performance for all brain regions studied.