Mapping Changes in Glutamate with Glutamate-Weighted MRI in Forced Swim Test Model of Depression in Rats
Donghoon Lee,
Chul-Woong Woo,
Hwon Heo,
Yousun Ko,
Ji Sung Jang,
Seongwon Na,
Nari Kim,
Dong-Cheol Woo,
Kyung Won Kim,
Do-Wan Lee
Affiliations
Donghoon Lee
Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Fujairah P.O. Box 1626, United Arab Emirates
Chul-Woong Woo
Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Hwon Heo
Department of Convergence Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Yousun Ko
Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Ji Sung Jang
Biomedical Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Seongwon Na
Biomedical Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Nari Kim
Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Dong-Cheol Woo
Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Kyung Won Kim
Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Do-Wan Lee
Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Chemical exchange saturation transfer with glutamate (GluCEST) imaging is a novel technique for the non-invasive detection and quantification of cerebral Glu levels in neuromolecular processes. Here we used GluCEST imaging and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to assess in vivo changes in Glu signals within the hippocampus in a rat model of depression induced by a forced swim test. The forced swimming test (FST) group exhibited markedly reduced GluCEST-weighted levels and Glu concentrations when examined using 1H MRS in the hippocampal region compared to the control group (GluCEST-weighted levels: 3.67 ± 0.81% vs. 5.02 ± 0.44%, p p = 0.001). Our results indicate that GluCEST imaging is a distinctive approach to detecting and monitoring Glu levels in a rat model of depression. Furthermore, the application of GluCEST imaging may provide a deeper insight into the neurochemical involvement of glutamate in various psychiatric disorders.
