Relationship between genetic variation in the glutaminase gene GLS1 and brain glutamine/glutamate ratio measured in vivo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission are implicated in several psychiatric disorders, but in vivo neurochemical studies of the glutamate (Glu) system have been hampered by a lack of adequate probes. By contrast, glutamine (Gln) and Glu can be quantified separately in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in vivo. Accumulating evidence suggests that the Gln/Glu ratio is a putative index of glutamatergic neurotransmission but interpretation of changes in the Gln/Glu ratio depends on the conditions of the system, including ammonia levels.

Methods

Here, we explored whether variation in GLS1 (the gene encoding the brain isoform of glutaminase, which catalyzes Gln-to-Glu conversion) is associated with Gln/Glu measured in vivo in two brain regions (a

SUBMITTER: Ongur D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3125415 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature