Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Vascular- and Alzheimer-Type Dementia

Abstract
Objective: To identify biochemical differences in brain tissue between patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and vascular dementia. Design and Subjects: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to compare 10 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and 8 age-matched patients with vascular dementia. Results: The ratios of N-acetyl groups to creatine and N-acetyl groups to choline were lower in regions of subcortical white matter in patients with vascular dementia than in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (P<.02). Conclusion: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be useful in distinguishing between dementia of the Alzheimer type and vascular dementia.