Reduced GABA level in ipsilateral thalamus correlates with cognitive impairment in stroke patients

Motivation: Neurotransmitters are involved in diseases associated with cognitive impairment. Goal(s): Investigate the changes of the main inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA) and excitatory neurotransmitters (glutamate and glutamine, Glx) for stroke patients and their correlation with cognitive impairment. Approach: GABA and Glx were measured using Meshcher-Garwood point-resolved spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) sequence in 20 ischemic stroke patients. Results: GABA to total creatine ratio (GABA/Cr) were reduced in the ipsilateral thalamus compared to the contralateral thalamus, and reduced GABA/Cr in ipsilateral thalamus was strong correlated with cognitive impairment. Thalamic GABA level could serve as a potential target for the evaluation and treatment of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment. Impact: The levels of GABA, glutamate and glutamine (Glx) in thalamus can be noninvasively quantified using MRS based on MEGA-PRESS technique in ischemic stroke patients. Reduced GABA level in ipsilateral thalamus was associated with cognitive impairment in ischemic patients.