Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of schizophrenic patients during word production: effects of D-cycloserine.
The objective of the present study was to examine patterns of cortical activation underlying D-cycloserine's therapeutic efficacy in schizophrenic patients using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We measured frontal and temporal lobe activation following a word fluency task in 12 subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia at baseline and after 8 weeks of supervised treatment, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Half of the patients received D-cycloserine (n = 6) as a supplement to their conventional neuroleptic treatment while the other half (n = 6) was augmented with placebo. Patients receiving D-cycloserine, but not placebo, demonstrated a significant increase in temporal lobe activation. This increased activation was significantly associated with a reduction in negative symptoms. These results suggest that the addition of D-cycloserine to conventional neuroleptics may improve negative symptoms through enhanced temporal lobe function.
Yurgelun-Todd
Deborah A
DA
Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA. ytodd@mclean.harvard.edu
Coyle
Joseph T
JT
Gruber
Staci A
SA
Renshaw
Perry F
PF
Silveri
Marisa M
MM
Amico
Edward
E
Cohen
Bruce
B
Goff
Donald C
DC
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013060:Speech; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014825:Vocabulary
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003523:Cycloserine