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Reduced GABA concentration in patients with white matter hyperintensities
Xin Wang1, Caihong Wang1, Peifang Miao1
1Key Laboratory for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Molecular Imaging of Henan Province, Department of MRI, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|December 29, 2023
Summary
White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are associated with reduced levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA+). Moderate-severe WMHs also show elevated choline (tCho) levels, suggesting altered GABAergic and choline metabolism in WMH pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurochemistry
- Neurology
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are common in aging and cerebrovascular disease.
- Alterations in neurotransmitter systems, including GABAergic signaling, may underlie WMH pathology.
- Metabolic changes in white matter are increasingly recognized in WMH development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA+) and other metabolites in WMHs using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
- To compare GABA+ and metabolite levels between patients with WMHs and healthy controls (HCs).
- To examine metabolite differences across WMH severity subgroups.
Main Methods:
- MRS (MEGA-PRESS technique) was performed at 3T on 24 WMH patients and 20 HCs.
- GABA+ levels were quantified using Gannet software; Glx, tNAA, tCho, and tCr were measured using Tarquin.
- Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, ANOVA, and post-hoc tests.
Main Results:
- Significantly reduced GABA+ levels were observed in WMH patients compared to HCs (p = 0.018).
- Both mild and moderate-severe WMH subgroups showed significantly lower GABA+ levels than HCs (p < 0.05).
- The moderate-severe WMH subgroup exhibited significantly higher total choline (tCho) levels than HCs (p = 0.019).
Conclusions:
- WMHs are associated with reduced GABA+ levels, indicating GABAergic system dysfunction.
- Elevated tCho in moderate-severe WMHs suggests alterations in choline metabolism.
- These findings highlight the potential roles of GABAergic and choline metabolic abnormalities in WMH pathogenesis.
