Dynamic metabolic changes were investigated by functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) during sustained stimulation of human primary visual cortex. Two established paradigms, consisting of either a full-field or a small-circle flickering checkerboard, were employed to generate wide-spread areas of positive or negative blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses, respectively. Compared to baseline, the glutamate concentration increased by 5.3% ( p = 0.007) during activation and decreased by −3.8% ( p = 0.017) during deactivation. These changes were positively correlated with the amplitude of the BOLD response ( R = 0.60, p = 0.002) and probably reflect changes of tricarboxylic acid cycle activity. During deactivation, the glucose concentration decreased by −7.9% ( p = 0.025) presumably suggesting increased consumption or reduced glucose supply. Other findings included an increased concentration of glutathione (4.2%, p = 0.023) during deactivation and a negative correlation of glutathione and BOLD signal changes ( R = −0.49, p = 0.012) as well as positive correlations of aspartate ( R = 0.44, p = 0.035) and N-acetylaspartylglutamate ( R = 0.42, p = 0.035) baseline concentrations with the BOLD response. It remains to be shown in future work if the observed effects on glutamate and glucose levels deviate from the assumption of a direct link between glucose utilization and regulation of blood flow or support previous suggestions that the hemodynamic response is mainly driven by feedforward release of vasoactive messengers.
Dynamic metabolic changes in human visual cortex in regions with positive and negative blood oxygenation level-dependent response