PHOSPHORUS MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - CORRELATION BETWEEN MEMBRANE PHOSPHOLIPID-METABOLISM IN THE TEMPORAL-LOBE ANDPOSITIVE SYMPTOMS

1. To determine any correlations between phosphorus metabolites in the temporal lobes and clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients, the a uthors performed (31)phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 31 medicated patients and age- and sex- matched normal subjects. 2. Schiz ophrenic patients demonstrated an increased level of phosphodiesters ( PDE) in the temporal lobes bilaterally and a decreased level of beta-a denosine triphosphate (beta-ATP) in the left temporal lobe. 3. A signi ficant positive correlation was observed between the level of PDE in t he left temporal lobe and the score of positive symptoms on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. 4. These results suggest that altered membra ne phospholipid metabolism in the left temporal lobe is associated wit h neuroleptic-resistant positive symptoms in schizoprenic patients.