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 tha t age-related neuronal loss occurs at a similar rate in schizophrenics and controls. On the other hand, we observe in schizophrenics age-rel ated choline abnormalities not present in controls. We suggest that th ese age-related changes may be related to an abnormal myelination proc ess and contribute to the observed clinical deterioration associated w ith schizophrenia.