Basal ganglia phosphorous metabolism in chronic schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined whether there are abnormalities in high-energy phosphorous metabolism in the basal ganglia of schizophrenic patients.


METHODS
In vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging was performed on 18 chronic schizophrenic patients and 16 healthy comparison subjects. The percentages of total phosphorous signal for phosphomonoesters, inorganic phosphate, phosphodiesters, phosphocreatine, and beta-ATP were calculated.


RESULTS
The mean percentages of beta-ATP signal in the right and left basal ganglia were significantly lower for the schizophrenic patients than for the comparison group. No other group differences in phosphorous metabolites and no lateral asymmetries in the schizophrenic group were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study provides support for abnormal high-energy phosphorous metabolism in the basal ganglia of schizophrenic patients.
Deicken
R F
RF
Magnetic Resonance Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121.
Calabrese
G
G
Merrin
E L
EL
Fein
G
G
Weiner
M W
MW
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism*; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*
D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D010758:Phosphorus; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate