Developmental and regional changes in the neurochemical profile of the rat brain determined by in vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy

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Abstract
Sixteen metabolites were quantified from 11–24 μl volumes in three different brain regions (hippocampus, striatum, and cerebral cortex) during postnatal development. Rat pups from the same litter were repeatedly measured on postnatal days 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 using a completely noninvasive and longitudinal study design. Metabolite quantification was based on ultra‐short echo‐time 1H NMR spectroscopy at 9.4 T and LCModel processing. Most of the brain metabolites were quantified with Cramer‐Rao lower bounds (CRLB) less than 20%, which corresponded to an estimated concentration error myo‐inositol, taurine, glutamate, and choline compounds. Absolute values of metabolite concentrations were in very good agreement with previously published in vitro results based on chromatographic measurements of brain extracts. The current data may serve as a reference for studies focused on developmental defects and pathologies using neonatal rat models. Magn Reson Med 50:24–32, 2003.
Funding Information
  • NICHD (1R29HD29421, P30HD33692)
  • National Center for Regional Resources (NCRR) (P41RR08079-10)
  • W.M. Keck Foundation