N-Acetylaspartate

links: reference: 6-26-2021

N-Acetylaspartic acid (NAA) #

• Derivative of Aspartic Acid and precursor to N-Acetylaspartylglutamate.

• The second-most-concentrated molecule in the brain, after glutamate.

• Detected in Neurons, Oligodendrocytes (NAA supplies acetate for lipid/myelin synthesis) and in the Myelin itself.

• Contributes to the energy production from Glutamate in neuronal mitochondria.

• May function as a Neurotransmitter by acting on metabotropic glutamate receptors.

• Gives off the largest signal in MRS, so it is a useful marker for neural energy production and efficiency.

• May be a marker of Creativity?

• High levels of NAA in the hippocampus are related to a better working memory.

  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/00207594.2012.709117

• Multivariate Associations of Fluid Intelligence and NAA

  • Concentrations of NAA predict fluid intelligence in the left motor regions (plays a key role in the visualization and planning necessary for spatial cognition/reasoning.)