MRI T-2 RELAXATION-TIMES OF BRAIN-REGIONS IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS AND CONTROL SUBJECTS (VOL 75, PG 173, 1997)

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 shorter T-2 times in right temporal cortex in schizophrenic patients as compared to control subjects. There were rig ht/left differences in relaxation times within each group. In both pat ients and control subjects, frontal lobe white matter T-2 was longer o n the right than on the left side. This finding is probably due to bra in asymmetry and unrelated to the presence or absence of psychiatric i llness. In schizophrenic patients only the left temporal cortex showed longer T-2 times than the right side. This observation could indicate left, sided temporal lobe pathology in schizophrenia. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd.