In vivo neurochemical profiling of rat brain by 1H-[13C] NMR spectroscopy: cerebral energetics and glutamatergic/GABAergic neurotransmission

J Neurochem. 2010 Jan;112(1):24-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06428.x. Epub 2009 Oct 10.

Abstract

The quantification of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission and the associated energy metabolism is crucial for a proper understanding of brain function. Although the detection of glutamatergic neurotransmission in vivo by (13)C NMR spectroscopy is now relatively routine, the detection of GABAergic neurotransmission in vivo has remained elusive because of the low GABA concentration and spectral overlap. Using (1)H-[(13)C] NMR spectroscopy at high magnetic field in combination with robust spectral modeling and the use of different substrates, [U-(13)C(6)]-glucose and [2-(13)C]-acetate, it is shown that GABAergic, as well as glutamatergic neurotransmitter fluxes can be detected non-invasively in rat brain in vivo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology*
  • Carbon Isotopes / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology*
  • Glutamic Acid / analysis
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism*
  • Glutamic Acid / physiology
  • Hydrogen / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* / methods
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / analysis
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / physiology

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Glutamic Acid
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Hydrogen