STRIATAL DOPAMINE D-2 RECEPTOR QUANTIFICATION AND SUPERIOR TEMPORAL GYRUS - VOLUME DETERMINATION IN 14 CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIC SUBJECTS

Chronic schizophrenic (n = 14) and normal subjects (n = 15) were studi ed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomogra phy (PET). Two PET scans were carried out to estimate caudate dopamine D-2 receptor tor densities. MRI was used to measure the volume of the superior temporal gyrus. Average striatal D-2 receptor density (B-max ) was significantly higher in the schizophrenic group than in the norm al group. Average left superior temporal gyral volume was significantl y smaller in the schizophrenic group than in the normal group, and the same tendency was found for the right superior temporal gyrus. Thus, the main finding of this combined analysis of functional and structura l neuroimaging techniques was an inverse relationship between reduced superior temporal gyral volume and elevated striatal D-2 receptor B-ma x values. These preliminary findings require confirmation in larger gr oups of patients and control subjects.