Development of a method to monitor glycine dynamics in the brain using Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CEST-MRI)

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16774
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Ohno Ken 新潟医療福祉大学, 医療技術学部, 助教 (40826153)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: MRI / CEST / Glycine / サロゲートマーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed a non-invasive method to monitor changes in brain glycine dynamics (GlyCEST method) using chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI (CEST-MRI), which is thought to contribute to cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The GlyCEST effect increased with increasing glycine concentration. In normal mice, the GlyCEST effect was greater in the thalamus than in the cortex. This result was in good agreement with biochemical measurements. In 5xFAD mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, we observed a decrease in glycine concentration in the cortex and thalamus of 5xFAD mice. The GlyCEST method allowed us to measure the glycine concentration distribution in the mouse brain.

Free Research Field

放射線医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本開発手法により、生体における脳内グリシン濃度分布を無侵襲かつ経時的に測定する事が可能となり、客観的なサロゲートマーカーが無い統合失調症を初めとした中枢神経疾患の個々の病態評価および薬剤治療法の最適化の実現が期待できる。