In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy: basic methodology and clinical applications

The clinical use of in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been limited for a long time, mainly due to its low sensitivity. However, with the advent of clinical MR systems with higher magnetic field strengths such as 3 Tesla, the development of better coils, and the design of optimized radio-frequency pulses, sensitivity has been considerably improved. Therefore, in vivo MRS has become a technique that is routinely used more and more in the clinic. In this review, the basic methodology of in vivo MRS is described—mainly focused on 1H MRS of the brain—with attention to hardware requirements, patient safety, acquisition methods, data post-processing, and quantification. Furthermore, examples of clinical applications of in vivo brain MRS in two interesting fields are described. First, together with a description of the major resonances present in brain MR spectra, several examples are presented of deviations from the normal spectral pattern associated with inborn errors of metabolism. Second, through examples of MR spectra of brain tumors, it is shown that MRS can play an important role in oncology

Long-term follow-up and treatment in nine boys with X-linked creatine transporter defect

The creatine transporter (CRTR) defect is a recently discovered cause of X-linked intellectual disability for which treatment options have been explored. Creatine monotherapy has not proved effective, and the effect of treatment with L-arginine is still controversial. Nine boys between 8 months and 10 years old with molecularly confirmed CRTR defect were followed with repeated 1H-MRS and neuropsychological assessments during 4–6 years of combination treatment with creatine monohydrate, L-arginine, and glycine. Treatment did not lead to a significant increase in cerebral creatine content as observed with H1-MRS. After an initial improvement in locomotor and personal-social IQ subscales, no lasting clinical improvement was recorded. Additionally, we noticed an age-related decline in IQ subscales in boys affected with the CRTR defect

Wege der Wissenschaftsphilosophie im 20. Jahrhundert

Carrier M. Wege der Wissenschaftsphilosophie im 20. Jahrhundert. In: Bartels A, Stöckler M, eds. Wissenschafts­theorie: ein Studienbuch. Paderborn: Mentis; 2007: 15-44

An algebraic perspective on multivariate tight wavelet frames. II

Continuing our recent work in [5] we study polynomial masks of multivariate tight wavelet frames from two additional and complementary points of view: convexity and system theory. We consider such polynomial masks that are derived by means of the unitary extension principle from a single polynomial. We show that the set of such polynomials is convex and reveal its extremal points as polynomials that satisfy the quadrature mirror filter condition. Multiplicative structure of this polynomial set allows us to improve the known upper bounds on the number of frame generators derived from box splines. Moreover, in the univariate and bivariate settings, the polynomial masks of a tight wavelet frame can be interpreted as the transfer function of a conservative multivariate linear system. Recent advances in system theory enable us to develop a more effective method for tight frame constructions. Employing an example by S.W. Drury, we show that for dimension greater than 2 such transfer function representations of the corresponding polynomial masks do not always exist. However, for all wavelet masks derived from multivariate polynomials with non-negative coefficients, we determine explicit transfer function representations. We illustrate our results with several examples