Mapping glutamate in subcortical brain structures using high‐resolution GluCEST MRI. (3rd April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cai, Kejia; Singh, Anup; Roalf, David R.; Nanga, Ravi Prakash Reddy; Haris, Mohammad; Hariharan, Hari; Gur, Ruben; Reddy, Ravinder
• Is Part Of: NMR in biomedicine. Volume 26:Number 10(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1278
• Page End: 1284
• Publication Date: 2013-04-03
• Subjects: chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) -- glutamate -- subcortical brain structures -- amygdala -- magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS); Nuclear magnetic resonance -- Periodicals; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy -- Periodicals; 574
• DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3480

Abstract

Abstract : In vivo measurement of glutamate (Glu) in brain subcortex can elucidate the role these structures play in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, accurate quantification of Glu in subcortical regions is challenging. Recently, a novel MRI method based on the Glu chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) effect has been developed for detecting brain Glu in millimolar concentrations. Here, we use GluCEST to map Glu distributions in subcortical structures of the human brain (e.g. amygdala, hippocampus). Overall, GluCEST was ~40% higher in gray matter than in white matter. Within the subcortical gray matters, amygdala showed the highest GluCEST contrast. Utilizing MR spectroscopic data, in vivo GluCEST detection sensitivity (~0.8% mM −1 ) in subcortical gray matter was evaluated and was consistent with the previously reported values. In general, the GluCEST map approximates the Glu receptor distribution reported in previous positron emission tomography (PET) studies. These findings suggest that high‐resolution GluCEST MRI of subcortical brain structures may prove to be a useful tool in diagnosis of brain disorders or treatment responses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : Glutamate chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) MRI was used to map glutamate distribution in human subcortex at 7 T. Given the consistency of GluCEST contrast with PET and MRS studies, GluCEST mapping may serve as biomarker of subcortical brain Glu distribution in vivo .