MRI volumetric and 31P MRS metabolic correlates of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the volumetric and metabolic correlates of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients in comparison with healthy controls.


METHODS
Twelve antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and 13 healthy controls underwent (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance imaging volume of caudate nuclei was measured using scion image software.


RESULTS
Patients had significantly smaller caudate volume than healthy controls. Phosphocreatine (PCr)/total phosphorous and PCr/total adenosine tri-phosphate ratios of both caudate nuclei were significantly lower in patients than controls. Significant negative correlation was found between the left caudate volume and left PCr/total phosphorus ratio in the patients. Age at onset of psychosis had i) significant negative correlation with right and left caudate volumes and ii) significant positive correlation with left PCr/total phosphorus ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
The metabolic and volumetric abnormalities of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients support neurodevelopmental etiopathogenesis.
Jayakumar
P N
PN
Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. jayakumar@nimhans.kar.nic.in
Venkatasubramanian
G
G
Keshavan
M S
MS
Srinivas
J S
JS
Gangadhar
B N
BN
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D010725:Phosphocreatine; D010758:Phosphorus; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate