GABA and Glx levels in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis correlate with clinical disability

Motivation: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause for clinical disability in youth and middle-aged people. Goal(s): Multiple researches have implicated glutamine–glutamate complex (Glx) and gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA) as key roles in neuronal signalling and other central functions. In MS patients, dysfunctional Glx excitation and/or GABA inhibition may contribute to neurological symptoms and disease progression. Approach: To identify the relationship between metabolic abnormalities and clinical disability, the metabolism of brain tissue was investigated by using MEscher-GArwood Point RESolved Spectroscopy. Results: Decreasing levels of GABA+/tCr and increasing levels of Glx/tCr were found in the precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus VOIs of MS patients. Impact: GABA and Glx detected by MEGA-PRESS MRS were utilized for investigating correlations between metabolic abnormalities in brain tissue and clinical disability.