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Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of alcohol use disorders.

ABSTRACT: This chapter critically reviews brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) studies performed since 1994 in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD). We describe the neurochemicals that can be measured in vivo at the most common magnetic field strengths, summarize our knowledge about their general brain functions, and briefly explain some basic human (1)H MRS methods. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal research of individuals in treatment and of treatment-naïve individuals with AUD are discussed and interpreted on the basis of reported neuropathology. As AUDs are highly comorbid with chronic cigarette smoking and illicit substance abuse, we also summarize reports on their respective influences on regional proton metabolite levels. After reviewing research on neurobiologic correlates of relapse and genetic influences on brain metabolite levels, we finish with suggestions on future directions for (1)H MRS studies in AUDs. The review demonstrates that brain metabolic alterations associated with AUDs as well as their cognitive correlates are not simply a consequence of chronic alcohol consumption. Future MR research of AUDs in general has to be better prepared - and supported - to study clinically complex relationships between personality characteristics, comorbidities, neurogenetics, lifestyle, and living environment, as all these factors critically affect an individual's neurometabolic profile. (1)H MRS is uniquely positioned to tackle these complexities by contributing to a comprehensive biopsychosocial profile of individuals with AUD: it can provide non-invasive biochemical information on select regions of the brain at comparatively low overall cost for the ultimate purpose of informing more efficient treatments of AUDs.

SUBMITTER: Meyerhoff DJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4876042 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of alcohol use disorders.

Meyerhoff Dieter J DJ

Handbook of clinical neurology 20140101

This chapter critically reviews brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) studies performed since 1994 in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD). We describe the neurochemicals that can be measured in vivo at the most common magnetic field strengths, summarize our knowledge about their general brain functions, and briefly explain some basic human (1)H MRS methods. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal research of individuals in treatment and of treatment-naïve individuals wit ...[more]

PMID: 25307583

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Project description:ImportanceThe use of high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in multiple brain regions of a large population of human participants facilitates in vivo study of localized or diffusely altered brain metabolites in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) compared to healthy participants.ObjectiveTo compare metabolite levels in 5 brain regions between patients with FEP (evaluated within 2 years of onset) and healthy controls, and to explore possible associations between targeted metabolite levels and neuropsychological test performance.Design, setting, and participantsCross-sectional design used 7-T MRS at a research MR imaging facility in participants recruited from clinics at the Johns Hopkins Schizophrenia Center and the local population. Eighty-one patients who had received a DSM-IV diagnosis of FEP within the last 2 years and 91 healthy age-matched (but not sex-matched) volunteers participated.Main outcomes and measuresBrain metabolite levels including glutamate, glutamine, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), N-acetylaspartate, N-acetylaspartyl glutamate, and glutathione, as well as performance on neuropsychological tests.ResultsThe mean (SD) age of 81 patients with FEP was 22.3 (4.4) years and 57 were male, while the mean (SD) age of 91 healthy participants was 23.3 (3.9) years and 42 were male. Compared with healthy participants, patients with FEP had lower levels of glutamate (F1,162 = 8.63, P = .02), N-acetylaspartate (F1,161 = 5.93, P = .03), GABA (F1,163 = 6.38, P = .03), and glutathione (F1,162 = 4.79, P = .04) in the anterior cingulate (all P values are corrected for multiple comparisons); lower levels of N-acetylaspartate in the orbitofrontal region (F1,136 = 7.23, P = .05) and thalamus (F1,133 = 6.78, P = .03); and lower levels of glutathione in the thalamus (F1,135 = 7.57, P = .03). Among patients with FEP, N-acetylaspartate levels in the centrum semiovale white matter were significantly correlated with performance on neuropsychological tests, including processing speed (r = 0.48; P < .001), visual (r = 0.33; P = .04) and working (r = 0.38; P = .01) memory, and overall cognitive performance (r = 0.38; P = .01).Conclusions and relevanceSeven-tesla MRS offers insights into biochemical changes associated with FEP and may be a useful tool for probing brain metabolism that ranges from neurotransmission to stress-associated pathways in participants with psychosis.

Dataset Information

Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of alcohol use disorders.

Publications

Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of alcohol use disorders.

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