Reduced GABA concentration in patients with white matter hyperintensities

Motivation: People with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are often perceived as healthy individuals, yet they are at an increased risk for stroke or dementia with the underlying mechanisms poorly understood. Goal(s): This study aims to investigate potential alterations of Γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in subjects with WMHs by using J-edited 1H MR spectroscopy (MRS). Approach: 24 WMHs patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited to undergo MRS scan in left centrum semiovale white matter. Results: Results showed that there was a significant reduction in GABA+ levels in WMHs patients compared with HCs. Besides, significantly higher levels of tCho in subgroup analysis was found. Impact: This study demonstrated significant reductions of GABA+ levels in centrum semiovale in WMH patients when compared to HCs. Reduced GABA+ concentrations identified in this study may be underlying pathological mechanisms for the concealed cognitive deficits in WMHs patients.