Pharmacological Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (phMRS)
Our project aims to improve neuroimaging methods for studying how medications affect the brain. Current techniques, such as pharmacological MRI (phMRI), measure blood flow as an indirect marker of brain activity but can be affected by cardiovascular side effects of psychotropic drugs. To overcome this, we developed an interleaved MR protocol that combines phMRI with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). MRS directly measures neurometabolites such as glutamate and GABA, the main neurotransmitters in the brain. By integrating these techniques, we can better understand how neuronal activity contributes to the phMRI signal. We tested this protocol in healthy volunteers using a double-dose, placebo-controlled randomized cross-over study with ketamine, a rapid-acting antidepressant that directly targets glutamate and GABA.
Funding: ZonMw Veni (attributed to Anouk Schrantee)
Researchers: Daphne Boucherie, Anouk Schrantee