Higher GABA Concentrations in the Brainstem in Parkinson's Disease by 1H MRS at 7T

Uzay Emrah Emir¹, Susan Rolandelli¹, Paul Joseph Tuite¹, Gulin Oz¹

Measuring neurochemical alterations in affected mid-brain structures substantia nigra (SN) and putamen in Parkinson's disease (PD) by ¹H MRS has been challenging. Because recent pathological findings indicated earlier involvement of more caudal brainstem regions in PD before the nigrostriatal system, we measured neurochemical profiles of the pons, as well as the SN and putamen, in early-moderate PD by 7T ¹H MRS. GABA concentration was higher in the pons (p<0.001) and putamen (p = 0.06) in PD patients (N=11) compared to age-matched healthy controls (N=8). Further research will help determine how these changes relate to disease pathogenesis and pathophysiology.