DECREASED LEFT FRONTAL-LOBE N-ACETYLASPARTATE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Objective: The authors measured N-acetylaspartate (a putative neuronal marker), using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imagin g (H-1-MRSI), in the frontal lobes of schizophrenic patients and norma l subjects. Method: Frontal lobe H-1-MRSI was performed bilaterally on 24 medicated schizophrenic patients and 15 healthy comparison subject s. Levels of N-acetylaspartate, creatine, and choline were determined. Results: Relative to the comparison group, the patients with schizoph renia demonstrated significantly lower levels of N-acetylaspartate in the left frontal lobe. There was no association between level of N-ace tylaspartate and duration of illness or medication dosage. No differen ces between groups or lateralized asymmetries in choline or creatine w ere noted. Conclusions: This preliminary study provides support for de creased N-acetylaspartate in the left frontal lobe in schizophrenia an d neuronal dysfunction in this brain region.