Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 7 Tesla: Examining Glutamate & Lactate Dynamics during Processing Speed

Motivation: This study investigates the dynamic neurochemical changes in glutamate and lactate during a cognitive task using functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) in the dorsal medial anterior cingulate cortex (dmACC). Goal(s): Twenty-eight young participants performed a symbol digit matching task while undergoing 7T fMRS. Approach: We observed task-related fluctuations in both glutamate and lactate levels. Results: These findings reveal potential links between neurochemical dynamics and cognitive processing, paving the way for future studies involving older participants to explore how aging and cognitive decline affect neurochemical responses. Impact: Our findings highlight the potential of fMRS to detect dynamic neurochemical changes during cognitive tasks, offering valuable insights for understanding cognitive processing and decline. This could have profound implications for neuroscience and psychiatric research in diagnosing cognitive disorders.