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The13C isotope and nuclear magnetic resonance: unique tools for the study of brain metabolism

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Abstract

As studies of brain metabolism grow in complexity, investigators turn increasingly to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with13C isotopic labeling. The unique ability to detect labeling non-destructively in specific carbon positions of individual compounds has opened the way to investigate brain metabolism in systems ranging from cellular preparations to the human brainin vivo. This review is written for investigators whose backgrounds do not include detailed knowledge of principles of nuclear magnetic resonance. Its purpose is to show the wide array of NMR techniques for13C detection that are available for application in different systems to study aspects of brain metabolism, such as metabolic compartmentation and measurements of the tricarboxylic acid cycle ratein vivo. Basic NMR concepts are explained, and, because each detection method possesses specific advantages to address the requirements of different experimental goals, basic explanations and examples are given for each technique. The review should provide readers with a basic understanding of the methods of13C detection by NMR and assess which of the methods are most applicable to the particular issues they may face in their own research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

    Graeme F. Mason

  2. Department of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, CT

    Kevin L. Behar

  3. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, Pocatello, ID

    James C. K. Lai

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Mason, G.F., Behar, K.L. & Lai, J.C.K. The13C isotope and nuclear magnetic resonance: unique tools for the study of brain metabolism. Metab Brain Dis 11, 283–313 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02029492

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