"In vitro" MRI findings of an agent can be used in the imaging of GABA receptors and similar agent's future projections.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to analyze magnetic resonance imaging findings of gamma-amino butyric acid and gamma deuteroxy sodium butyrate and to evaluate possible "in vitro" and "in vivo" areas of use. MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials used included gamma-amino butyric acid and gamma deuteroxy sodium butyrate which is formed by the replacement of the deuteroxy group. An amino group in the gamma position of gamma-amino butyric acid was evaluated with a standard magnetic resonance device with the power of 1.5 Tesla and a brain coil. These findings have been compared. RESULTS Gamma deuteroxy sodium butyrate has shown to have statistically different signals than gamma-amino butyric acid, 0.09 NaCl, distilled water and gadolinium chelates. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that "in vivo" studies should be conducted in addition to phantom studies; Deuterium imaging may be used with or without proton imaging with technical support. Other agents may be studied for "in vivo" use following the labeling with Deuterium.