Lactate, N-acetylaspartate, choline and creatine concentrations, and spin-spin relaxation in thalamic and occipito-parietal regions of developing human brain

Previous studies of the brains of normal infants demonstrated lower lactate (Lac)/choline (Cho), Lac/creatine (Cr), and Lac/N‐acetylaspartate (Naa) peak‐area ratios in the thalamic region (predominantly gray matter) compared with occipitoparietal (mainly unmyelinated white matter) values. In the present study, thalamic Cho, Cr, and Naa concentrations between 32–42 weeks' gestational plus postnatal age were greater than occipito‐parietal: 4.6 ± 0.8 (mean ± SE), 10.5 ± 2.0, and 9.0 ± 0.7 versus 1.8 ± 0.6, 5.8 ± 1.5, and 3.4 ± 1.1 mmol/kg wet weight, respectively: Lac concentrations were similar, 2.7 ± 0.6 and 3.3 ± 1.3 mmol/kg wet weight, respectively. In the thalamic region, Cho and Naa T2s increased, and Cho and Lac concentrations decreased, during development. Lower thalamic Lac peak‐area ratios are principally due to higher thalamic concentrations of Cho, Cr, and Naa rather than less Lac. The high thalamic Cho concentration may relate to active myelination; the high thalamic Naa concentration may be due to advanced gray‐matter development including active myelination. Lac concentration is higher in neonatal than in adult brain.