MEMBRANE PHOSPHOLIPID-METABOLISM AND SCHIZOPHRENIA - AN IN-VIVO P-31-MR SPECTROSCOPY STUDY

Membrane phospholipid metabolism was studied with P-31 magnetic resona nce spectroscopy in the left dorsal prefrontal cortex of 19 male, medi cated, schizophrenic patients and compared to 18 normal male controls matched in age, education and parental education level. The schizophre nic patients had significantly decreased phosphomonoester levels (PMEs , metabolites predominantly involved in the synthesis of membrane phos pholipids). Phosphodiester levels (PDEs, breakdown products of membran e phospholipids) were not statistically different in schizophrenic pat ients compared to controls. However, a significant increase in the PDE levels was observed in the newly diagnosed patient subgroup. This obs erved pattern of the PMEs and PDEs would be consistent with the presen ce of an abnormal neurodevelopment early in the illness of schizophren ia.