Localized H-1 NMR measurements of 2-pyrrolidinone in human brain in vivo

Localized H-1 NMR homonuclear J editing spectroscopy was used to measure th e concentration of 2-pyrrolidinone (PRDN) in the human occipital robe of fi ve normal and six epileptic subjects taking vigabatrin. PRDN is a lactam cy clization product of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), From a localized volum e of 13.5 cm(3) in the occipital cortex, the concentration of PRDN ranged f rom 0.2 to 0.3 mu mol/g in normal subjects, whereas in epileptic subjects o n vigabatrin PRDN was elevated to 0.6 +/- 0.1 mu mol/g. The elevated PRDN i n patients on vigabatrin was in accord with raised GABA levels compared wit h normals. H-1 NMR measurements of PRDN will be important in assessment of the role of this metabolite for improved seizure control. Magn Reson Med 41 :889-896, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.