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Cardiovascular risks impact human brain N-acetylaspartate in regionally specific patterns.
Joshua Chiappelli1, Laura M Rowland1, S Andrea Wijtenburg2
1Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228; jchiappe@som.umaryland.edu lrowland@som.umaryland.edu.
Summary
Cardiovascular risks impact brain white matter, indicated by lower N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels before cognitive decline. Brain N-acetylaspartate (NAA) mapping may detect early effects of cardiovascular risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and dyslipidemia are linked to white matter damage and cognitive impairment.
- Early detection of brain changes related to cardiovascular risks is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels in brain white matter can serve as an early biomarker for cardiovascular risk.
- To explore the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and brain neurochemistry.
Main Methods:
- Echo planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) was used to measure N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine levels in 163 individuals.
- Regional NAA and creatine levels were correlated with the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score (FCVRS), adjusting for age and sex.
Main Results:
- N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels showed a strong negative correlation with FCVRS across the brain, predominantly in white matter.
- This association, after adjusting for age and sex, was also observed in the thalamus, hippocampus, and cingulate gyrus.
- Creatine levels were also negatively correlated with FCVRS, primarily in white matter regions.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular risks are associated with neurochemical alterations in the brain, with a notable impact on white matter.
- N-acetylaspartate (NAA) brain mapping shows potential as a non-invasive tool for early surveillance of subclinical cardiovascular and metabolic risk impacts.
