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Updated: May 4, 2026

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models
Published on: May 3, 2017
Memory in multiple sclerosis is linked to glutamate concentration in grey matter regions
Nils Muhlert1, Matteo Atzori2, Enrico De Vita3
1Department of Neuroinflammation, NMR Research Unit, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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 (1)H-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.
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