Mapping the Alterations of Glutamate Using Glu-Weighted CEST MRI in a Rat Model of Fatigue

Ruili Li; Zhuozhi Dai; Zhuozhi Dai; Di Hu; Haiyan Zeng; Haiyan Zeng; Zeman Fang; Zerui Zhuang; Haiyun Xu; Haiyun Xu; Qingjun Huang; Yilong Cui; Handi Zhang

doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.589128

Frontiers in Neurology (Oct 2020)

Mapping the Alterations of Glutamate Using Glu-Weighted CEST MRI in a Rat Model of Fatigue

Ruili Li,
Zhuozhi Dai,
Zhuozhi Dai,
Di Hu,
Haiyan Zeng,
Haiyan Zeng,
Zeman Fang,
Zerui Zhuang,
Haiyun Xu,
Haiyun Xu,
Qingjun Huang,
Yilong Cui,
Handi Zhang

Affiliations

Ruili Li: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, China
Zhuozhi Dai: Department of Radiology, Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, China
Zhuozhi Dai: Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Di Hu: Laboratory for Biofunction Dynamic Imaging, RIkagaku KENkyusho/Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) Center for Systems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
Haiyan Zeng: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, China
Haiyan Zeng: Mental Health Center, Xianyue Hospital, Xiamen, China
Zeman Fang: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, China
Zerui Zhuang: Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
Haiyun Xu: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, China
Haiyun Xu: School of Psychiatry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
Qingjun Huang: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, China
Yilong Cui: Mental Health Center, Xianyue Hospital, Xiamen, China
Handi Zhang: Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.589128
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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Objective: Glutamate dysregulation may play an important role in the pathophysiology of fatigue. Glutamate weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (Glu-weighted CEST) MRI is a recently developed technology which enables measuring glutamate in vivo with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The purpose of this study is to map the alternations of brain glutamate in a rat model of fatigue.Methods: Rats were subjected to 10 days fatigue loading procedure (fatigue group) or reared without any fatigue loading (control group). Spontaneous activities of rats in the fatigue group were recorded from 3 days before fatigue loading to 4 days after the end of fatigue loading. Glu-weighted CEST were performed following 10-day fatigue loading.Results: Rats in the fatigue group exhibited significant reduced spontaneous activities after 10-day fatigue loading. The glutamate level in the whole brain increased significantly in the fatigue group compared to that in the control group. Further analysis of glutamate in the sub-regions of brain including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum revealed a trend of increment, although statistical significance was not reached.Significance: The increase of glutamate level in the brain may be a crucial process involved in the pathophysiology of fatigue.

Published in Frontiers in Neurology

ISSN: 1664-2295 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/

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