Assessment of metabolic changes in the striatum of a rat model of parkinsonism: an in vivo 1H MRS study

N. Kickler, E. Lacombe, C. Chassain, F. Durif, A. Krainik, R. Farion, P. Provent, C. Segebarth, C. Rémy and M. Savasta
NMR in Biomedicine 2008, 22, 207-212

Degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta in Parkinson's disease induces an abnormal activation of the glutamatergic neurotransmission system within the basal ganglia network and related structures. The aim of this study was to use proton MRS to show metabolic changes in the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, a rodent animal model of Parkinson's disease. No significant alterations in glutamate (glx) could be measured. The total choline/total creatine ratio was found to be reduced in the striatum of the ipsilateral hemisphere.