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Functional dynamics of hippocampal glutamate during associative learning assessed with in vivo 1H functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: fMRI has provided vibrant characterization of regional and network responses associated with associative learning and memory; however, their relationship to functional neurochemistry is unclear. Here, we introduce a novel application of in vivo proton functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H fMRS) to investigate the dynamics of hippocampal glutamate during paired-associated learning and memory in healthy young adults. We show that the temporal dynamics of glutamate differed significantly during processes of memory consolidation and retrieval. Moreover, learning proficiency was predictive of the temporal dynamics of glutamate such that fast learners were characterized by a significant increase in glutamate levels early in learning, whereas this increase was only observed later in slow learners. The observed functional dynamics of glutamate provides a novel in vivo marker of brain function. Previously demonstrated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor mediated synaptic plasticity during associative memory formation may be expressed in glutamate dynamics, which the novel application of 1H MRS is sensitive to. The novel application of 1H fMRS can provide highly innovative vistas for characterizing brain function in vivo, with significant implications for studying glutamatergic neurotransmission in health and disorders such as schizophrenia.

SUBMITTER: Stanley JA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5498221 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Functional dynamics of hippocampal glutamate during associative learning assessed with in vivo <sup>1</sup>H functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Stanley Jeffrey A JA Burgess Ashley A Khatib Dalal D Ramaseshan Karthik K Arshad Muzamil M Wu Helen H Diwadkar Vaibhav A VA

NeuroImage 20170329

fMRI has provided vibrant characterization of regional and network responses associated with associative learning and memory; however, their relationship to functional neurochemistry is unclear. Here, we introduce a novel application of in vivo proton functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (<sup>1</sup>H fMRS) to investigate the dynamics of hippocampal glutamate during paired-associated learning and memory in healthy young adults. We show that the temporal dynamics of glutamate differed sign ...[more]

PMID: 28363835

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Project description:Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor occurring in childhood and rarely found in adult. Based on transcriptome profile MB are currently classified into four major molecular groups reflecting a considerable biological heterogeneity: WNT-activated, SHH-activated, group 3 and group 4. Recently, DNA methylation profiling allowed the identification of additional subgroups within the four major molecular groups associated with different clinic-pathological and molecular features. Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutations have been described in several tumours, including gliomas, while in MB are exceptionally reported and not routinely investigated. By mean of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) we unequivocally assessed the presence the oncometabolite D-2-Hydroxyglutarate (2HG), a marker of IDH1 and IDH2 mutation, in a case of adult MB. Immunophenotypical work-up and methylation profiling assigned the diagnosis of MB, subclass SHH-A, and molecular testing revealed the presence of the non-canonical somatic IDH1(p.R132C) mutation and an additional GNAS mutation, also exceptionally described in MB. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of MB harboring both mutations together. Of note, tumour exhibited a heterogeneous phenotype with a tumour component displaying glial differentiation, with robust GFAP expression, and a component with conventional MB features and selective presence of GNAS mutation, suggesting coexistence of two different major tumour clones. These findings draw attention to the need of a deeper genetic characterization of MB in order to get insights into their biology and improve stratification and clinical management of the patients. Moreover, reported data underling the importance of performing MRS for the identification of IDH mutations in non-glial tumours. The use of throughput molecular profiling analysis and advanced medical imaging technology will certainly increase the frequency with which rare tumour entities will be identified. Whether they have any particular therapeutic implications or prognostic relevance requires further investigations.

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Functional dynamics of hippocampal glutamate during associative learning assessed with in vivo 1H functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

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Functional dynamics of hippocampal glutamate during associative learning assessed with in vivo <sup>1</sup>H functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

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