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

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 13C 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 1H-[13C] NMR spectroscopy at high magnetic field in combination with robust spectral modeling and the use of different substrates, [U-13C6]-glucose and [2-13C]-acetate, it is shown that GABAergic, as well as glutamatergic neurotransmitter fluxes can be detected non-invasively in rat brain in vivo. © 2009 International Society for Neurochemistry.