BASAL GANGLIA PHOSPHORUS-METABOLISM IN CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIA

Objective: The authors examined whether there are abnormalities in hig h-energy phosphorous metabolism in the basal ganglia of schizophrenic patients. Method: In vivo P-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopic imagin g was performed on 18 chronic schizophrenic patients and 16 healthy co mparison subjects. The percentages of total phosphorous signal for pho sphomonoesters, inorganic phosphate, phosphodiesters, phosphocreatine, and beta-ATP were calculated. Results: The mean percentages of beta-A TP signal in the right and left basal ganglia were significantly lower for the schizophrenic patients than for the comparison group. No othe r group differences in phosphorous metabolites and no lateral asymmetr ies in the schizophrenic group were noted. Conclusions: This prelimina ry study provides support for abnormal high-energy phosphorous metabol ism in the basal ganglia of schizophrenic patients.