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Fortin O, Christoffel K, Shoaib A, Venkatesan C, Cilli K, Schroeder JW, Alves C, Ganetzky RD, Fraser JL. Characteristic Fetal Brain MRI Abnormalities in Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.08.24303574. [PMID: 38645225 PMCID: PMC11030481 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.24303574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency (PDCD) is a disorder of mitochondrial metabolism that is caused by pathogenic variants in multiple genes, including PDHA1. Typical neonatal brain imaging findings in PDCD have been described, with a focus on malformative features and chronic encephaloclastic changes. However, fetal brain MRI imaging in confirmed PDCD has not been comprehensively described. We sought to demonstrate the prenatal neurological and systemic manifestations of PDCD determined by comprehensive fetal imaging and genomic sequencing. All fetuses with a diagnosis of genetic PDCD who had undergone fetal MRI were included in the study. Medical records, imaging data, and genetic testing results were reviewed and reported descriptively. Ten patients with diagnosis of PDCD were included. Most patients had corpus callosum dysgenesis, abnormal gyration pattern, reduced brain volumes, and periventricular cystic lesions. One patient had associated intraventricular hemorrhages. One patient had a midbrain malformation with aqueductal stenosis and severe hydrocephalus. Fetuses imaged in the second trimester were found to have enlargement of the ganglionic eminences with cystic cavitations, while those imaged in the third trimester had germinolytic cysts. Fetuses with PDCD have similar brain MRI findings to neonates described in the literature, although some of these findings may be subtle early in pregnancy. Additional features, such as cystic cavitations of the ganglionic eminences, are noted in the second trimester in fetuses with PDCD, and these may represent a novel early diagnostic marker for PDCD. Using fetal MRI to identify these radiological hallmarks to inform prenatal diagnosis of PDCD may guide genetic counseling, pregnancy decision-making, and neonatal care planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Fortin
- Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
| | - Kelsey Christoffel
- Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20052
| | - Abdullah Shoaib
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 75235
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA, 75235
| | - Charu Venkatesan
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 45229
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 45221
| | - Kate Cilli
- Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
| | - Jason W. Schroeder
- Department of Radiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
- Department of Radiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20052
| | - Cesar Alves
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 02115
| | - Rebecca D. Ganetzky
- Division of Human Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 19104
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
| | - Jamie L. Fraser
- Zickler Family Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
- Rare Disease Institute, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 20010
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Andescavage NN, Pradhan S, Gimovsky AC, Kapse K, Donofrio MT, Cheng JJ, Sharker Y, Wessel D, du Plessis AJ, Limperopoulos C. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Brain Metabolism in Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 82:1614-1623. [PMID: 37821172 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease (CHD) remains a significant risk factor for neurologic injury because altered fetal hemodynamics may be unable to support typical brain development during critical periods of growth and maturation. OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess differences in the cerebral biochemical profile between healthy fetuses and fetuses with complex CHD and to relate these with infant outcomes. METHODS Pregnant participants underwent fetal magnetic resonance imaging with cerebral proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy acquisitions as part of a prospective observational study. Cerebral metabolites of N-acetyl aspartate, creatine, choline, myo-inositol, scyllo-inositol, lactate, and relevant ratios were quantified using LCModel. RESULTS We acquired 503 proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy images (controls = 333; CHD = 170) from 333 participants (controls = 221; CHD = 112). Mean choline levels were higher in CHD compared with controls (CHD 2.47 IU [Institutional Units] ± 0.44 and Controls 2.35 IU ± 0.45; P = 0.02), whereas N-acetyl aspartate:choline ratios were lower among CHD fetuses compared with controls (CHD 1.34 ± 0.40 IU vs controls 1.44 ± 0.48 IU; P = 0.001). Cerebral lactate was detected in all cohorts but increased in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries and single-ventricle CHD (median: 1.63 [IQR: 0.56-3.27] in transposition of the great arteries and median: 1.28 [IQR: 0-2.42] in single-ventricle CHD) compared with 2-ventricle CHD (median: 0.79 [IQR: 0-1.45]). Cerebral lactate also was associated with increased odds of death before discharge (OR: 1.75; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS CHD is associated with altered cerebral metabolites in utero, particularly in the third trimester period of pregnancy, which is characterized by exponential brain growth and maturation, and is associated with survival to hospital discharge. The long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of these findings warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickie N Andescavage
- Department of Neonatology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Subechhya Pradhan
- Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alexis C Gimovsky
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kushal Kapse
- Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mary T Donofrio
- Department of Pediatrics, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jenhao Jacob Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Yushuf Sharker
- Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David Wessel
- Department of Pediatrics, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Adre J du Plessis
- Department of Pediatrics, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA; Prenatal Pediatric Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Radiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Radiology, the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
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De Asis-Cruz J, Limperopoulos C. Harnessing the Power of Advanced Fetal Neuroimaging to Understand In Utero Footprints for Later Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 93:867-879. [PMID: 36804195 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adverse intrauterine events may profoundly impact fetal risk for future adult diseases. The mechanisms underlying this increased vulnerability are complex and remain poorly understood. Contemporary advances in fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided clinicians and scientists with unprecedented access to in vivo human fetal brain development to begin to identify emerging endophenotypes of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. In this review, we discuss salient findings of normal fetal neurodevelopment from studies using advanced, multimodal MRI that have provided unparalleled characterization of in utero prenatal brain morphology, metabolism, microstructure, and functional connectivity. We appraise the clinical utility of these normative data in identifying high-risk fetuses before birth. We highlight available studies that have investigated the predictive validity of advanced prenatal brain MRI findings and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. We then discuss how ex utero quantitative MRI findings can inform in utero investigations toward the pursuit of early biomarkers of risk. Lastly, we explore future opportunities to advance our understanding of the prenatal origins of neuropsychiatric disorders using precision fetal imaging.
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Steger C, Feldmann M, Borns J, Hagmann C, Latal B, Held U, Jakab A, O'Gorman Tuura R, Knirsch W. Neurometabolic changes in neonates with congenital heart defects and their relation to neurodevelopmental outcome. Pediatr Res 2022; 93:1642-1650. [PMID: 35995938 PMCID: PMC10172141 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered neurometabolite ratios in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery for congenital heart defects (CHD) may serve as a biomarker for altered brain development and neurodevelopment (ND). METHODS We analyzed single voxel 3T PRESS H1-MRS data, acquired unilaterally in the left basal ganglia and white matter of 88 CHD neonates before and/or after neonatal cardiac surgery and 30 healthy controls. Metabolite ratios to Creatine (Cr) included glutamate (Glu/Cr), myo-Inositol (mI/Cr), glutamate and glutamine (Glx/Cr), and lactate (Lac/Cr). In addition, the developmental marker N-acetylaspartate to choline (NAA/Cho) was evaluated. All children underwent ND outcome testing using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition (BSID-III) at 1 year of age. RESULTS White matter NAA/Cho ratios were lower in CHD neonates compared to healthy controls (group beta estimate: -0.26, std. error 0.07, 95% CI: -0.40 - 0.13, p value <0.001, FDR corrected p value = 0.010). We found no correlation between pre- or postoperative white matter NAA/Cho with ND outcome while controlling for socioeconomic status and CHD diagnosis. CONCLUSION Reduced white matter NAA/Cho in CHD neonates undergoing cardiac surgery may reflect a delay in brain maturation. Further long-term MRS studies are needed to improve our understanding of the clinical impact of altered metabolites on brain development and outcome. IMPACT NAA/Cho was reduced in the white matter, but not the gray matter of CHD neonates compared to healthy controls. No correlation to the 1-year neurodevelopmental outcome (Bayley-III) was found. While the rapid change of NAA/Cho with age might make it a sensitive marker for a delay in brain maturation, the relationship to neurodevelopmental outcome requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Steger
- Center for MR-Research, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Feldmann
- Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Borns
- Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Pediatric Cardiology, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Hagmann
- Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Latal
- Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Child Development Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Held
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute UZH, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - András Jakab
- Center for MR-Research, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruth O'Gorman Tuura
- Center for MR-Research, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Walter Knirsch
- Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, Department of Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. .,Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. .,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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De Asis-Cruz J, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C. Adverse Prenatal Exposures and Fetal Brain Development: Insights From Advanced Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:480-490. [PMID: 34848383 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Converging evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests that fetal vulnerability to adverse prenatal exposures increases the risk for neuropsychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. Recent advances in fetal magnetic resonance imaging have allowed us to characterize typical fetal brain growth trajectories in vivo and to interrogate structural and functional alterations associated with intrauterine exposures, such as maternal stress, environmental toxins, drugs, and obesity. Here, we review proposed mechanisms for how prenatal influences disrupt neurodevelopment, including the role played by maternal and fetal inflammatory responses. We summarize insights from magnetic resonance imaging research in fetuses, highlight recent discoveries in normative fetal development using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging techniques (i.e., three-dimensional volumetry, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, placental diffusion imaging, and functional imaging), and discuss how baseline trajectories are shaped by prenatal exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josepheen De Asis-Cruz
- Developing Brain Institute, Department of Radiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Nickie Andescavage
- Developing Brain Institute, Department of Radiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC; Department of Neonatology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Developing Brain Institute, Department of Radiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC.
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Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C. Emerging placental biomarkers of health and disease through advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Exp Neurol 2021; 347:113868. [PMID: 34562472 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Placental dysfunction is a major cause of fetal demise, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth, as well as significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Infant survivors of placental dysfunction are at elevatedrisk for lifelong neuropsychiatric morbidity. However, despite the significant consequences of placental disease, there are no clinical tools to directly and non-invasively assess and measure placental function in pregnancy. In this work, we will review advanced MRI techniques applied to the study of the in vivo human placenta in order to better detail placental structure, architecture, and function. We will discuss the potential of these measures to serve as optimal biomarkers of placental dysfunction and review the evidence of these tools in the discrimination of health and disease in pregnancy. Efforts to advance our understanding of in vivo placental development are necessary if we are to optimize healthy pregnancy outcomes and prevent brain injury in successive generations. Current management of many high-risk pregnancies cannot address placental maldevelopment or injury, given the standard tools available to clinicians. Once accurate biomarkers of placental development and function are constructed, the subsequent steps will be to introduce maternal and fetal therapeutics targeting at optimizing placental function. Applying these biomarkers in future studies will allow for real-time assessments of safety and efficacy of novel interventions aimed at improving maternal-fetal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickie Andescavage
- Developing Brain Institute, Department of Radiology, Children's National, Washington DC, USA; Department of Neonatology, Children's National, Washington DC, USA
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Amgalan A, Andescavage N, Limperopoulos C. Prenatal origins of neuropsychiatric diseases. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:1741-1749. [PMID: 33475192 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM The main objective is to review the available evidence in the literature for developmental origins of neuropsychiatric diseases and their underlying mechanisms. We also probe emerging cutting-edge prenatal MR imaging tools and their future role in advancing our understanding the prenatal footprints of neuropsychiatric disorders. OBSERVATIONS Both human and animal studies support early intrauterine origins of neuropsychiatric disease, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention and hyperactivity disorders, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Specific mechanisms of intrauterine injury include infection, inflammation, hypoxia, hypoperfusion, ischaemia polysubstance use/abuse, maternal mental health and placental dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE There is ample evidence to suggest developmental vulnerability of the foetal brain to intrauterine exposures that increases and individual's risk for neuropsychiatric disease, especially the risk of ASD, depression and anxiety. Elucidating the exact timing and mechanisms of injury can be difficult and require novel, non-invasive approaches to the study emerging structural and functional brain development of the foetus. Clinical care should both emphasise maternal health during pregnancy, as well as close, continued monitoring for at risk offspring throughout young adulthood for the early identification and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nickie Andescavage
- Division of Neonatology Children’s National Health System Washington DC USA
- Department of Pediatrics George Washington University School of Medicine Washington DC USA
| | - Catherine Limperopoulos
- Department of Pediatrics George Washington University School of Medicine Washington DC USA
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging & Radiology Children’s National Health System Washington DC USA
- Department of Radiology George Washington University School of Medicine Washington DC USA
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Bilingualism is a long-term cognitively challenging experience that modulates metabolite concentrations in the healthy brain. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7090. [PMID: 33782462 PMCID: PMC8007713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86443-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitively demanding experiences, including complex skill acquisition and processing, have been shown to induce brain adaptations, at least at the macroscopic level, e.g. on brain volume and/or functional connectivity. However, the neurobiological bases of these adaptations, including at the cellular level, are unclear and understudied. Here we use bilingualism as a case study to investigate the metabolic correlates of experience-based brain adaptations. We employ Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to measure metabolite concentrations in the basal ganglia, a region critical to language control which is reshaped by bilingualism. Our results show increased myo-Inositol and decreased N-acetyl aspartate concentrations in bilinguals compared to monolinguals. Both metabolites are linked to synaptic pruning, a process underlying experience-based brain restructuring. Interestingly, both concentrations correlate with relative amount of bilingual engagement. This suggests that degree of long-term cognitive experiences matters at the level of metabolic concentrations, which might accompany, if not drive, macroscopic brain adaptations.
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Hsu CH, Lin S, Ho AC, Johnson TD, Wang PC, Scafidi J, Tu TW. Comparison of in vivo and in situ detection of hippocampal metabolites in mouse brain using 1 H-MRS. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 34:e4451. [PMID: 33258202 PMCID: PMC8214416 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The study of cerebral metabolites relies heavily on detection methods and sample preparation. Animal experiments in vivo require anesthetic agents that can alter brain metabolism, whereas ex vivo experiments demand appropriate fixation methods to preserve the tissue from rapid postmortem degradation. In this study, the metabolic profiles of mouse hippocampi using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) were compared in vivo and in situ with or without focused beam microwave irradiation (FBMI) fixation. Ten major brain metabolites, including lactate (Lac), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), total choline (tCho), myo-inositol (mIns), glutamine (Gln), glutamate (Glu), aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutathione (GSH), total creatine (tCr) and taurine (Tau), were analyzed using LCModel. After FBMI fixation, the concentrations of Lac, tCho and mIns were comparable with those obtained in vivo under isoflurane, whereas other metabolites were significantly lower. Except for a decrease in NAA and an increase in Tau, all the other metabolites remained stable over 41 hours in FBMI-fixed brains. Without FBMI, the concentrations of mIns (before 2 hours), tCho and GABA were close to those measured in vivo. However, higher Lac (P < .01) and lower NAA, Gln, Glu, GSH, tCr and Tau were observed (P < .01). NAA, Gln, Glu, GSH, tCr and Tau exhibited good temporal stability for at least 20 hours in the unfixed brain, whereas a linear increase of tCho, mIns and GABA was observed. Possible mechanisms of postmortem degradation are discussed. Our results indicate that a proper fixation method is required for in situ detection depending on the targeted metabolites of specific interests in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Hsiung Hsu
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stephen Lin
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ai-Chen Ho
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - T. Derek Johnson
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Department of Neurology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Paul C. Wang
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Joseph Scafidi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Department of Neurology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tsang-Wei Tu
- Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
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