The differential association between local neurotransmitter levels and whole‐brain resting‐state functional connectivity in two distinct cingulate cortex subregions

Abstract

Reproducible resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) patterns and their alterations play an increasing role in neuropsychiatric research. Studies that limit the analysis of metabolites and rsFC strengths to a predefined canonical network suggest that the rsFC strength positively correlates with the local glutamate (Glu) levels and negatively correlates with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. The contribution of regional neurotransmitter activity to rsFC strengths from a given seed to the whole-brain remains unclear. In this study, 121 healthy participants (50 female/71 male) underwent multimodal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 7 T, allowing for acquisition of multiple, neuroanatomically well-defined MRS voxels in the same session. We examined the association between rsFC and local neurotransmitter levels in the

Anterior cingulate glutamate metabolites as a predictor of antipsychotic response in first episode psychosis: data from the STRATA collaboration

“…The pgACC is involved in internal mental processes and processing affective information [45,46]. Glutamate concentrations are higher in rostral than caudal ACC regions [47] and differentially relate with whole brain resting state functional connectivity [48]. Early changes in pgACC connectivity predict antipsychotic response in FEP [30] and pgACC glutamate correlates with ACC control over sensory regions in antipsychotic-responsive but not treatment resistant schizophrenia [49].…”

Subacute changes in brain functional network connectivity after nocturnal sodium oxybate intake are associated with anterior cingulate GABA/glutamate balance

“…The copyright holder for this this version posted November 22, 2022. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.21.22282584 doi: medRxiv preprint and FC, suggesting their role in synchronizing brain activity across specific regions [22][23][24][25][26].…”

“…In contrast to the growing knowledge of their functional properties, the neurochemical regulation of large-scale brain networks remains largely unknown. Studies applying combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and fMRI reported significant associations between the spectral signals of main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu), and FC, suggesting their role in synchronizing brain activity across specific regions [22-26]. Importantly, this was demonstrated for both regional and inter-regional (task-dependent) FC, but the direction of the association was variable depending on the brain region considered and on task-demand [26-28].…”

“…Studies applying combined magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and fMRI reported significant associations between the spectral signals of main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu), and FC, suggesting their role in synchronizing brain activity across specific regions [22-26]. Importantly, this was demonstrated for both regional and inter-regional (task-dependent) FC, but the direction of the association was variable depending on the brain region considered and on task-demand [26-28]. Moreover, most studies were focused on specific interactions between single network nodes rather than global modulation of network activity [24] and pharmacological studies combining rsFC and neurometabolic investigations in humans are still limited.…”

“…Importantly, this was demonstrated for both regional and inter-regional (task-dependent) FC, but the direction of the association was variable depending on the brain region considered and on taskdemand [26][27][28]. Moreover, most studies were focused on specific interactions between single network nodes rather than global modulation of network activity [24] and pharmacological studies combining rsFC and neurometabolic investigations in humans are still limited.…”