@article{ref1,
title="N-acetyl-aspartate in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex long after concussion in youth",
journal="Journal of head trauma rehabilitation",
year="2019",
author="MacMaster, Frank P. and McLellan, Quinn and Harris, Ashley D. and Virani, Shane and Barlow, Karen M. and Langevin, Lisa Marie and Yeates, Keith Owen and Brooks, Brian L.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Despite increasing interest in the neurobiological effects of concussion in youth, a paucity of information is available regarding outcomes long after injury. The objective of this study was to determine the association between a history of concussion and the putative neuronal marker N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in youth. SETTING: Outpatient clinic in a children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Youth with concussion (N = 35, mean = 2.63, SD = 1.07 years postinjury) and youth with a nonconcussive orthopedic injury (N = 17) participated. <br><br>DESIGN: A cross-sectional proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) study. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was NAA concentration in the right and left DLPFCs. <br><br>RESULTS: We observed lower levels of NAA in the right DLPFC in youth with past concussion (F = 3.31, df = 4,51, P =.018) than in orthopedic controls but not in the left DLPFC (F = 2.04, df = 4,51, P =.105). The effect of lower NAA concentrations in the right DLPFC was primarily driven by youth with a single prior concussion versus those with multiple concussions. NAA in the left DLPFC, but not in right DLPFC, was associated with worse emotional symptoms in youth with concussion. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The presence of lower levels of DLPFC NAA suggests potential association of concussion in youth, although further investigation is needed, given that the result is driven by those with a single (and not multiple) concussion. Exploration of applying MRS in other brain regions is also warranted.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0885-9701",
doi="10.1097/HTR.0000000000000535",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000535"
}