Mapping Age Differences in Brain Energy Metabolites and Metabolic Markers of Cellular Membrane Production and Degradation With ³¹P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Using Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (³¹P MRS), we examined five metabolites associated with brain energy cycle, and cellular membrane production and degradation in 11 brain regions of 48 children (age 6–15), and 80 middle-aged and older adults (age 52–87). Levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs) and phosphodiesters (PDEs), gamma plus alpha adenosine triphosphate (γαATP), phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi), were residualized on the total amplitude value. PMEs were greater in children compared to adults, whereas PDEs showed the opposite age difference. Higher γαATP and lower Pi were found in children compared to adults. The age group differences were particularly salient in the association cortices and anterior white matter. Among children, age correlated negatively with PMEs and positively with PDEs in association cortices. Compared to children, adults had lower intracellular pH. The results suggest reduction in membrane synthesis and increase in membrane degradation in adolescents and to a greater degree in adults compared to younger children. Concomitant reduction in γαATP and increase in Pi are consistent with reduced energy consumption in adolescents and further drop in middle-aged and older adults, although it is impossible to distinguish declines in energy supply from reduced demand due to shrinking neuropil, without longitudinal studies.