A 1H magnetic spectroscopy study in the first-episode patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective To identify the possible alterations of brain function in prefrontal lobes and hippocampus in the first-episode patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Methods 20 patients were selected to perform MRI and HMRS examination. Proton multi-voxel spectroscopy imaging(1 H-MRSI)was obtained from two sides of the hippocampus and frontal lobes regions. The metabolites included N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine and phosphocreatine (Cr).The ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr and NAA/Cho were determined. Results (1)The Cho/Cr ratio was significantly reduced in left frontal white matter of patients compared to right(1. 178 ± 0.210 vs 1.437 ± 0. 337). (2) There was no statistically significant difference in metabolite levels in between left anterior cingulate gray matter and right (N AA. Cr: 1. 339 ± 0.452 vs 1. 748 ± 0. 147;Cho/Cr: 1. 406 ± 0. 394 vs 1. 761 ± 0.362) (P ＜ 0.05). (3) The NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr were significantly reduced in left hippocampus of patients compared to right. Conclusion The results implicate that the metabolic abnormalities might exist in the left hippocampus and frontal lobe of schizophrenic patients with positive symptoms. Key words: Schizophrenia; Frontal lobes; Hippocampus; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy