In vivoneurochemical profiling of rat brain by1H-[13C] NMR spectroscopy: cerebral energetics and glutamatergic/GABAergic neurotransmission

Abstract

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 24–33. 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.