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Postmortem Degradation of N-Acetyl Aspartate and N-Acetyl Aspartylglutamate: An HPLC Analysis of Different Rat CNS Regions

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Abstract

N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), a putative marker of neuronal injury, can be measured non-invasively in patients by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Interpretation of in vivo MRS data, however, requires neuropathological correlates to NAA alterations using autopsy or biopsy material. Since detailed hydrolysis data is lacking, NAA and the related dipeptide N-acetyl aspartylglutamate (NAAG) were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in different rat CNS regions over 24 h postmortem. Both molecules decreased rapidly 1-4 h postmortem, and subsequently slower with time. The average reduction at 24 h was 46% and 38% for NAA and NAAG respectively. The NAA reduction was proportionally smaller in cortical areas (34-37%) compared to more caudal regions (54-58%). An exception was the optic nerve, a pure white matter tract, where NAA and NAAG hydrolysis was slower. The NAA/NAAG ratio remained relatively constant, but exhibited marked regional differences. The data show a significant postmortem degradation of NAA and NAAG that needs to be considered when these compounds are studied ex-vivo.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio

    Jan Battistuta & Bruce D. Trapp

  2. Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio

    Jan Battistuta, Carl Bjartmar & Bruce D. Trapp

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  1. Jan Battistuta
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  2. Carl Bjartmar
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  3. Bruce D. Trapp
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Battistuta, J., Bjartmar, C. & Trapp, B.D. Postmortem Degradation of N-Acetyl Aspartate and N-Acetyl Aspartylglutamate: An HPLC Analysis of Different Rat CNS Regions. Neurochem Res 26, 695–702 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010947605921

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