RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Memory in multiple sclerosis is linked to glutamate concentration in grey matter regions
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 833
OP 839
DO 10.1136/jnnp-2013-306662
VO 85
IS 8
A1 Nils Muhlert
A1 Matteo Atzori
A1 Enrico De Vita
A1 David L Thomas
A1 Rebecca S Samson
A1 Claudia A M Wheeler-Kingshott
A1 Jeroen J G Geurts
A1 David H Miller
A1 Alan J Thompson
A1 Olga Ciccarelli
YR 2014
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/85/8/833.abstract
AB Objective Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in normal brain function. Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), and understanding its mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments. We used structural and metabolic brain imaging to test two hypotheses: (i) glutamate levels in grey matter regions are abnormal in MS, and (ii) patients show a relationship between glutamate concentration and memory performance. Methods Eighteen patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 17 healthy controls were cognitively assessed and underwent 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 T to assess glutamate levels in the hippocampus, thalamus, cingulate and parietal cortices. Regression models investigated the association between glutamate concentration and memory performance independently of magnetisation transfer ratio values and grey matter lesions withint he same regions, and whole-brain grey matter volume. Results Patients had worse visual and verbal memory than controls. A positive relationship between glutamate levels in the hippocampal, thalamic and cingulate regions and visuospatial memory was detected in patients, but not in healthy controls. Conclusions The relationship between memory and glutamate concentration, which is unique to MS patients, suggests the reliance of memory on glutamatergic systems in MS.