Background and purpose: Recent studies suggest that normobaric oxygen therapy (NBO) is neuroprotective in acute ischemic stroke.
Methods: We performed multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and diffusion/perfusion MRI in patients with stroke treated with NBO or room air. Imaging was performed before, during, and after therapy.
Results: Voxel-based analysis showed excellent correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient values, lactate, and N-acetyl-aspartate levels at all time points. Lactate decreased during NBO and increased post-NBO. N-acetyl-aspartate decreased in patients receiving room air but not in NBO-treated patients.
Conclusions: These data suggest that NBO improves aerobic metabolism and preserves neuronal integrity in the ischemic brain.