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Elevated cerebral glutamate and myo-inositol levels in cognitively normal middle-aged adults with metabolic syndrome

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Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and diminished cognitive function. Given that the cerebral mechanisms mediating the relationship between peripheral metabolic dysfunction and cognitive impairment are unknown, we set out to examine the relationship between diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and cerebral metabolism. Thirteen participants with MetS (aged 48 ± 6 years) and 25 healthy adults (aged 51 ± 6 years) underwent neuropsychological assessment, health screen and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) examining N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), myo-inositol (mI), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), and glutamate (Glu) concentrations in occipitoparietal grey matter. Cerebral metabolite ratios (NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, mI/Cr, and Glu/Cr) of participants with MetS, defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria, were compared with controls matched for age, education, cognition, and emotional function. There were no significant differences in global cognitive function, memory, language, and psychomotor performance between the groups. Diagnosis of MetS was associated with significantly higher mI/Cr (F(1,36) = 5.02, p = 0.031) and Glu/Cr ratio (F(1,36) = 4.81, p = 0.035). Even in cognitively normal adults, MetS is related to cerebral metabolic disturbances, a possible indication of early brain vulnerability. Longitudinal studies that begin in mid-life can help validate the use of 1H MRS markers as indicators of long-term cognitive outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by American Heart Association grant 09BGIA2060722 (APH) and the University of Texas at Austin (APH). The authors thank the UT Imaging Center staff for their help with the participants.

Conflict of interest disclosure

Dr. Haley is funded by American Heart Association grant #09BGIA2060722 and received research support from the University of Texas at Austin and NINR Center Grant P30 NR005051.

Dr. Tanaka serves on the scientific advisory board for Endothelix, is funded by NIH grants #AG20966 and DA018431, and received research support from the American Heart Association and the Yoga Care Foundation.

Ms. Gonzales, Mr. Tarumi, Mr. Miles and Dr. Goudarzi have no disclosures to report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Andreana P. Haley, Mitzi M. Gonzales & Katayoon Goudarzi

  2. University of Texas Imaging Research Center, Austin, TX, USA

    Andreana P. Haley

  3. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Takashi Tarumi, Steven C. Miles & Hirofumi Tanaka

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  1. Andreana P. Haley
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  2. Mitzi M. Gonzales
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Correspondence to Andreana P. Haley.

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Haley, A.P., Gonzales, M.M., Tarumi, T. et al. Elevated cerebral glutamate and myo-inositol levels in cognitively normal middle-aged adults with metabolic syndrome. Metab Brain Dis 25, 397–405 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-010-9221-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-010-9221-y

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