Hippocampal age-related changes in schizophrenia: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.
We have used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study in vivo N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline and creatine in the hippocampi of 26 schizophrenics and 38 normal controls. Measurements of NAA suggest that age-related neuronal loss occurs at a similar rate in schizophrenics and controls. On the other hand, we observe in schizophrenics age-related choline abnormalities not present in controls. We suggest that these age-related changes may be related to an abnormal myelination process and contribute to the observed clinical deterioration associated with schizophrenia.
Maier
M
M
Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
Ron
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline