Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Callicott, J. H. Articles by Weinberger, D. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Callicott, J. H. Articles by Weinberger, D. R. Neuroendocrinology Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders MRS

Selective Relationship Between Prefrontal N-Acetylaspartate Measures and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Certain cognitive, behavioral, and emotional deficits (so-called negative symptoms) in patients with schizophrenia have often been attributed to prefrontal cortical pathology, but direct evidence for a relationship between prefrontal neuronal pathology and negative symptoms has been lacking. The authors hypothesized that an in vivo measure of prefrontal neuronal pathology (N-acetylaspartate [NAA] levels) in patients with schizophrenia would predict negative symptoms. METHOD: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (¹H-MRSI) and rating scales for negative and positive symptoms were used to study 36 patients with schizophrenia. Magnetic resonance spectra were analyzed as metabolite ratios, and parametric correlations were performed. RESULTS: A regionally selective negative correlation was found between prefrontal NAA-creatine ratio and negative symptom ratings in this group of patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: Lower prefrontal NAA—and by inference greater neuronal pathology—predicted more severe negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. These data demonstrate a relationship between an intraneuronal measure of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex integrity and negative symptoms in vivo and represent further evidence for the involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. J. Wood, G. E. Berger, M. Lambert, P. Conus, D. Velakoulis, G. W. Stuart, P. Desmond, P. D. McGorry, and C. Pantelis Prediction of functional outcome 18 months after a first psychotic episode: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Arch Gen Psychiatry, September 1, 2006; 63(9): 969 - 976. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Fanous, E. J. van den Oord, B. P. Riley, S. H. Aggen, M. C. Neale, F. A. O'Neill, D. Walsh, and K. S. Kendler Relationship Between a High-Risk Haplotype in the DTNBP1 (Dysbindin) Gene and Clinical Features of Schizophrenia Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2005; 162(10): 1824 - 1832. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Akbarian, M. G. Ruehl, E. Bliven, L. A. Luiz, A. C. Peranelli, S. P. Baker, R. C. Roberts, W. E. Bunney Jr, R. C. Conley, E. G. Jones, et al. Chromatin Alterations Associated With Down-regulated Metabolic Gene Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of Subjects With Schizophrenia Arch Gen Psychiatry, August 1, 2005; 62(8): 829 - 840. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Bertolino, D. Sciota, F. Brudaglio, M. Altamura, G. Blasi, A. Bellomo, N. Antonucci, J. H. Callicott, T. E. Goldberg, T. Scarabino, et al. Working Memory Deficits and Levels of N-Acetylaspartate in Patients With Schizophreniform Disorder Am J Psychiatry, March 1, 2003; 160(3): 483 - 489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Callicott, A. Bertolino, V. S. Mattay, F. J.P. Langheim, J. Duyn, R. Coppola, T. E. Goldberg, and D. R. Weinberger Physiological Dysfunction of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Schizophrenia Revisited Cereb Cortex, November 1, 2000; 10(11): 1078 - 1092. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2000 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us