OBJECTIVETo investigate the metabolic changes on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) in patients with first left basal ganglia infarction and their relationship with depression.

METHODSTwenty-two patients with first left basal ganglia infarction and 10 matched healthy controls were recruited in the study. Patients and controls underwent (1)H MRS scan and the spectrum of N-acetyl aspartic acid (NAA), choline (Cho) and creatinine (Cr) was recorded at the first week (D7) and 1 month after onset (M1), respectively. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Ability of daily life (ADL), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were evaluated at D7, M1 and M6 after onset. The patients were classified into two groups: post-stroke depression (PSD) and non-post-stroke depression (NPSD) according to the result of HAMD.The differences of (1)H-MRS between these two groups were compared and their relationship with NIHSS and ADL was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong 22 patients 10 were diagnosed as PSD and 12 were NPSD. Compared to controls, NAA/Cr was significantly lower and Cho/Cr was significantly higher (P <0.05)in left prefrontal white matter and left basal ganglia in patients with infarct. Patients with PSD showed a lower NAA/Cr and higher Cho/Cr than NPSD patients (P <0.05). At M1 after onset, NAA/Cr in the left prefrontal white matter was significantly correlated with NIHSS (r=-0.551, P =0.032), while Cho/Cr was correlated with ADL (r=0.682, P=0.005)in PSD patients.

CONCLUSIONMetabolic changes shown on (1)H-MRS in patients with basal ganglia infarction may predict the occurrence of PSD.