title: GABA, resting-state connectivity and the developing brain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preclinical data demonstrate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons initiate connectivity in the developing brain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to compare GABA concentration and its relationship to functional connectivity in the brains of term and preterm infants at term-equivalent age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants received both magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans at term-equivalent age. Whole brain functional connectivity MRI data using intrinsic connectivity distribution maps were compared to identify areas with differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the preterm and term control groups. MRS measured concentrations of GABA, glutamate, N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and choline; NAA/choline was then calculated for comparison between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preterm infants had lower right frontal GABA and glutamate concentrations than term controls and showed a significantly different relationship between connectivity and GABA concentration in the right frontal lobe. Preterm infants had a positive correlation between GABA concentration and connectivity, while term controls demonstrated a negative correlation between these two developmentally regulated parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that regional GABA concentrations are associated with normal and altered neonatal resting-state connectivity.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., USA.
authors: Soo Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Kwon
authors: Dustin
authors: D
authors: Scheinost
authors: Cheryl
authors: C
authors: Lacadie
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Benjamin
authors: Eliza H
authors: EH
authors: Myers
authors: Maolin
authors: M
authors: Qiu
authors: Karen C
authors: KC
authors: Schneider
authors: Douglas L
authors: DL
authors: Rothman
authors: R Todd
authors: RT
authors: Constable
authors: Laura R
authors: LR
authors: Ment
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002657:Child Development; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007395:Interneurons / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015398:Signal Transduction; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001224:Aspartic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D002794:Choline