MRI T-2 RELAXATION-TIMES OF BRAIN-REGIONS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS AND CONTROL SUBJECTS

In this MRI investigation T-2 relaxation times were studied in schizop hrenic patients compared to normal control subjects. Approximate T-2 r elaxation times were calculated using signal intensity at two echo tim es in several brain regions of 25 male schizophrenic patients and 25 a ge-matched, normal male control subjects. The schizophrenic patients s howed significantly longer T-2 relaxation times as compared to normal control subjects in the left anterior column of the fornix. This is a small structure, prone to partial volume effects and this may account for these findings. There was a trend towards longer T-2 times in the left frontal cortex and right temporal cortex in schizophrenic patient s as compared to control subjects. There were right/left differences i n relaxation times within each group. In both patients and control sub jects, frontal lobe white matter T-2 was longer on the right than on t he left side. This finding is probably due to brain asymmetry and unre lated to the presence or absence of psychiatric illness. In schizophre nic patients only the left temporal cortex showed longer T-2 times tha n the right side. This observation could indicate left sided temporal lobe pathology in schizophrenia. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd .