Influence of temperature on cerebellar metabolite levels.

OBJECTIVE: The cerebellum is extremely sensitive to heat-induced injury because of the abundance of Purkinje cells. This study explored the influence of temperature on cerebellar metabolite levels by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were recruited to undergo a MRS examination in the summer and winter. Twenty-four ordinary patients with fever underwent the same examination during fever and after recovery. All MR spectras were recorded from the cerebellum. Metabolites ratios including N-acetyl aspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), choline/creatine (Cho/Cr), and N-acetyl aspartate/choline (NAA/Cho) were calculated.

RESULTS: There are no significant differences in cerebellar metabolite levels in the 10 healthy volunteers during summer and winter (p > .05). For the 24 patients with fever, the cerebellar Cho/Cr ratios during fever were increased compared with those after recovery (p = .043).

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, MRS plays a role in the evaluation of the influence of temperature on cerebellar metabolite levels. It was observed that cerebellar metabolite levels are not influenced by seasonal temperature but are influenced by body temperature.