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NMR spectroscopy of single neurons
Author(s) -
Grant Samuel C.,
Aiken Nanci R.,
Plant H. Daniel,
Gibbs Stephen,
Mareci Thomas H.,
Webb Andrew G.,
Blackband Stephen J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/1522-2594(200007)44:1<19::aid-mrm4>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , nuclear magnetic resonance , spectroscopy , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics
The first spatially localized NMR spectra of osmolytes and metabolites from single isolated neurons have been obtained using a combination of high magnetic field strengths and NMR radio frequency (RF) microcoils. The proton spectra display peaks at high concentrations (100–300 mM) assigned to betaine and choline, and other metabolite resonances including lactate at lower concentrations in the order of 10s of millimoles. The volumes examined were approximately 10 nl, over two orders of magnitude less than previously possible. In these initial experiments; the cells were unperfused and the signal intensities of the osmolytes decrease with time, a phenomenon consistent with cell swelling. This work demonstrates the technical feasibility of NMR spectroscopy of single cells, further broadening the scope of NMR spectroscopy of living tissues from application to entire living organisms (man and animal models) and isolated tissues (perfused organs and cultured assemblies of cells) and now to single cells. Magn Reson Med 44:19–22, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.