Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the medial prefrontal cortex in patients with deficit schizophrenia: Preliminary report

Author(s): Fernandez, J., Constans, J. M., Brazo, P., Benali, K., Abadie, P., Vasse, T., Thibaut, F., Coutheoux, P., Petit, M., Dollfus, S.

Journal/Book: Amer J Psychiat. 2000; 157: 1400 K St N W, Ste 1101, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Amer Psychiatric Press, Inc. 641-643.

Abstract: Objective: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1-MRS) was used to study medial prefrontal metabolic impairments in schizophrenic patients with the deficit syndrome. Method: The subjects were 22 schizophrenic patients categorized as deficit (N=5) or non-deficit (N=17) and 21 healthy subjects. H-1-MRS was performed for the right and the left medial prefrontal cortex. Results: The patients with the deficit syndrome had significantly lower ratios of N-acetylaspartate to creatine plus phosphocreatine than did the healthy subjects or nondeficit patients. Conclusions: As N-acetylaspartate levels could reflect neuronal density and/or viability, this finding suggests a neuronal loss in the medial prefrontal cortex of deficit patients.

Note: Article Dollfus S, CHU Caen, Grp Imagerie Neurofonct, CNRS FRE 2233, CEA, LRC 13V, Ctr Esquirol, F-14000 Caen, FRANCE

Keyword(s): FRONTAL LOBES; ABNORMALITIES; PATHOLOGY; SCHEDULE

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