Cerebral proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates reversibility of N-acetylaspartate/creatine in gray matter after delayed encephalopathy due to carbon monoxide intoxication: a case report.

What Researchers Did

Researchers reported on a 40-year-old woman with delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning, monitoring her brain substance changes with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy during hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

What They Found

Initially, the patient recovered but became encephalopathic after four weeks, showing dramatically decreased N-acetylaspartate to total creatine ratios and elevated lactate in gray matter. After additional hyperbaric oxygen therapy, at six-month follow-up (217 days post insult), she showed significant cognitive improvement and full reversal of these brain substance abnormalities.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection.

Study Limitations

As a case report, the findings from this study cannot be generalized to a broader patient population.