OBJECTIVE: The authors measured N-acetylaspartate (a putative neuronal
marker), using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
(1H-MRSI), in the frontal lobes of schizophrenic patients and normal
subjects. METHOD: Frontal lobe 1H-MRSI was performed bilaterally on 24
medicated schizophrenic patients and 15 healthy comparison subjects. Levels
of N-acetylaspartate, creatine, and choline were determined. RESULTS:
Relative to the comparison group, the patients with schizophrenia
demonstrated significantly lower levels of N- acetylaspartate in the left
frontal lobe. There was no association between level of N-acetylaspartate
and duration of illness or medication dosage. No differences between groups
or lateralized asymmetries in choline or creatine were noted. CONCLUSIONS:
This preliminary study provides support for decreased N-acetylaspartate in
the left frontal lobe in schizophrenia and neuronal dysfunction in this
brain region.Abstract Teaser