Mapping Glutamate Networks in the Mouse Brain Using CEST MRI

Motivation: The study addresses the need for non-invasive mapping of glutamate networks in the brain, crucial for understanding glutamate's role in neurological disorders. Goal(s): To demonstrate the feasibility of mapping glutamate networks in the mouse brain using CEST MRI. Approach: CEST MRI was used to capture glutamate levels through GluCEST imaging. Two acquisition methods —dynamic time-series data and RF-varying Z-spectra —were employed, with independent component analysis and seed-based correlation to analyze glutamate connectivity. Results: The study successfully mapped glutamate networks in the mouse brain, showing connectivity between regions such as the hippocampus and cortex, and validated CEST MRI's capability for molecular-level brain connectivity imaging. Impact: This study shifts how glutamate's role in the brain is investigated, enabling targeted, non-invasive imaging of its networks. By establishing a method to map glutamate connectivity, it opens new avenues for studying region-specific alterations in neurological disorders.