To investigate whether cognitive impairment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is associated with alterations in brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, 31 RRMS patients and 26 healthy controls underwent 3T 1H MRS and neuropsychologic assessment. GABA levels were quantified in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and left hippocampus (LHC). Patients showed reduced GABA+ in PCC and LHC, and reduced GABA+ levels correlated with cognitive function. This study demonstrates that abnormalities of the GABAergic system may be an important neurochemical mechanism of cognitive impairment in RRMS.
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