GABA quantitation using MEGA-PRESS: Regional and hemispheric differences.
To measure in vivo brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations, and assess regional and hemispheric differences, using MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS).



GABA concentrations were measured bilaterally in the frontal cortex (FC), parietal cortex (PC), and occipital cortex (OC) of 21 healthy young subjects (age range 20-29 years) using 3 Tesla Philips scanner. A univariate general linear model analysis was carried out to assess the effect of region and hemisphere as well as their interaction on GABA concentrations while controlling for sex and gray matter differences.



Results indicated a significant regional dependence of GABA levels [F(2,89) = 11.725, P < 0.001, ηp2 = .209] with lower concentrations in the FC compared with both PC (P < 0.001) and OC (P < 0.001) regions. There was no significant hemispheric differences in GABA levels [F(1,89) = .172; P = 0.679; ηp2 = .002].



This study reports the concentrations of GABA in the FC, PC, and OC brain regions of healthy young adults. GABA distribution exhibits hemispheric symmetry, but varies across regions; GABA levels in the FC are lower than those in the PC and OC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1619-1623.
Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.
Monika
M
Grewal
Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.
Aroma
A
Dabas
Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.
Sumiti
S
Saharan
The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.|F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Peter B
PB
Barker
The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.|F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Richard A E
RA
Edden
Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.|The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Pravat K
PK
Mandal
D000328:Adult; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
1H-MRS; GABA; MEGA-PRESS; frontal cortex; occipital cortex; parietal cortex