We investigated metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex using magnetic resonance spectroscopy in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Short-TE PRESS at 3T provided reliable fits for glutamate (Glu), N-Acetyl-aspartate (NAA), total creatine (tCr), myo-Inositol and total choline. SCI patients had 11.3 % less Glu. Given the role of Glu in synaptic transmission between neurons and also between neurons and oligodendrocytes, reduced Glu in SCI may reflect decreased synaptic density and activity due to a loss of sensory input in the anterior cingulate cortex. Further research investigating the effect of sensory input loss on metabolite concentrations in SCI is warranted.
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