QUANTITATIVE PROTON MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY OF THE BASAL GANGLIA IN PATIENTS WITH AFFECTIVE-DISORDERS

Proton magnetic resonance spectra were recorded from a subcortical reg ion containing the basal ganglia in 40 patients with affective disorde rs (18 with bipolar disorder and 22 with major depression) and in 20 n ormal controls. The absolute concentration of the choline-containing c ompounds (Cho) in the patients with bipolar disorder in the depressive state was significantly higher than that in the normal controls. The patients with bipolar disorder had significantly higher levels of the Cho/creatine + phosphocreatine (Cr) and Cho/N-acetly-1-aspartate (NAA) peak ratio compared with the normal controls in both the depressive a nd euthymic states, with a tendency to higher levels in the depressive state. The Cho/NAA peak ratio was also significantly higher in the pa tients with major depression compared with the normal controls. These results suggest that the membrane phospholipid metabolism in the basal ganglia is altered in affective disorders.