In vivo investigation of white matter pathology in schizophrenia with magnetisation transfer imaging

Objectives-This study is the first to use magnetisation transfer imaging (M TI), a technique sensitive to myelin and axonal abnormalities, to investiga te the white matter in vivo in patients with schizophrenia. Methods-MTI was performed in 25 schizophrenic patients and 30 healthy contr ols. A region of interest (ROI) approach was used to obtain magnetisation t ransfer ratios (MTRs) in several regions of cerebral white matter. Results-MTR values were significantly reduced in the right and left tempora l regions in schizophrenic patients compared with controls (p<0.001). Clini cal variables such as age, duration of symptoms, schizophrenic symptomatolo gy, and soft neurological signs did not predict this reduction in MTR. Ther e were no MTR abnormalities in the other regions sampled. However, the corr elation between the left and right frontal MTR values was marginally signif icantly different in schizophrenic patients compared with controls suggesti ng that subtle differences in interhemispheric connections may be present. Conclusions-Subtle white matter pathology, most Likely related to myelin an d axonal abnormalities, can be detected in the temporal lobes in schizophre nic patients. MTI may be a useful tool in investigating the white matter in schizophrenia.