GABA, resting-state connectivity and the developing brain
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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
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Published on: November 13, 2016
Soo Hyun Kwon1, Dustin Scheinost, Cheryl Lacadie
1Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., USA.
Background:
Preclinical data demonstrate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons initiate connectivity in the developing brain.
Objectives:
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.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that regional GABA concentrations are associated with normal and altered neonatal resting-state connectivity.
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