In vivo assessment of neurotransmitters and modulators with magnetic resonance spectroscopy: Application to schizophrenia

• MRS is a powerful technique used to assess neurotransmitters and modulators in vivo.
• MRS techniques enable detection of Glu, GABA, GSH, NAAG, glycine, and serine.
• MRS studies of schizophrenia show alterations in Glu, GABA, GSH and NAAG.
• Metabolite differences depend on brain region, illness stage and medication status.
• MRS shows great promise for understanding glutamatergic systems in schizophrenia.

In vivo measurement of neurotransmitters and modulators is now feasible with advanced proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) techniques. This review provides a basic tutorial of MRS, describes the methods available to measure brain glutamate, glutamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutathione, N-acetylaspartylglutamate, glycine, and serine at magnetic field strengths of 3 T or higher, and summarizes the neurochemical findings in schizophrenia. Overall, 1H MRS holds great promise for producing biomarkers that can serve as treatment targets, prediction of disease onset, or illness exacerbation in schizophrenia and other brain diseases.