Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study on prefrontal lobe and thalamus in schizophrenics

Abstract

Objective To explore the metabolite status on prefrontal lobe and thalamus by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and affecting factors in patients of schizophrenia. Methods 159 schizophrenics met with CCMD-3 and 45 normal controls were examined at prefrontal lobe and thalamus by multi-voxel 1H-MRS. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA), Choline-congtaining compounds (Cho), and Creatine compounds (Cr) were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr were determined. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were also assessed. Results On left prefrontal lobe of patients, the NAA/Cr ratio demonstrated lower than that in normal controls (1.42±0.34 vs.1.64±0.39, t=3.70, P<0.01). The same phenomenon were appeared on left thalamus (1.46±0.35 vs.1.66±0.38, t=3.32, P<0.01) and on right thalamus (1.49±0.34 vs. 1.62±0.37, t=2.04, P<0.05). Contributing to the NAA/Cr ratio, main influencing factors on left prefrontal lobe were age of onset, duration of illness, score of negative symptoms, antipsychotic treatment, total score of PANSS, Categories completed of WCST, total score of SDSS, year of education. Main influencing factors on left thalamus were age of onset, duration of illness, antipsychotic treatment. Main influencing factors on right thalamus were duration of illness, age of onset, score of negative symptoms, antipsychotic treatment, and family history. Conclusions Abnormalities in neuronal function and/or integrity presented on prefrontal lobe and thalamus in schizophrenics are related to many respects, especially age of onset, duration of illness and antipsychotic treatment. Key words: Schizophrenia; Magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Related factors