Pharmacopsychiatry 2011; 44(4): 148-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1279739
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Brain Metabolite Changes after Antipsychotic Treatment

A. Szulc1 , B. Galinska1 , E. Tarasow2 , N. Waszkiewicz1 , B. Konarzewska1 , R. Poplawska1 , D. Bibulowicz1 , K. Simonienko1 , J. Walecki3
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, Choroszcz, Poland
  • 2Department of Radiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
  • 3Polish Academy of Sciences, Medical Research Centre, Warsaw, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

received 23.08.2010 revised 02.04.2011

accepted 04.04.2011

Publication Date:
27 June 2011 (online)

Abstract

Introduction: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) enables the observation of brain function in vivo. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of antipsychotic medication on metabolite levels in the brain of schizophrenic patients based on a 1H MRS examination.

Methods: We examined 42 patients previously diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia twice: firstly, after the neuroleptic wash-out (baseline) and secondly, under stable medication (follow-up, after treatment). The study had a naturalistic design and several different neuroleptic medications were used during the treatment phase. The clinical evaluation, MRI and MRS procedures were performed. The group of 26 healthy controls were also examined to compare MRS results.

Results: We found a significantly lower NAA/Cr (N-acetylaspartate/creatine) ratio in the frontal lobe and thalamus in patients (after the wash-out) as compared to controls. After treatment a significant decrease of the Glx/Cr ratio in the temporal lobe and a trend for an increase of the NAA/Cr ratio in the thalamus were observed.

Conclusion: >Our results confirm that antipsychotic medication modifies brain metabolism measured by means of 1H MRS. The pattern of the changes suggests a neuroprotective action of antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia.

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Correspondence

Dr. A. Szulc

Department of Psychiatry

Medical University in Bialystok

16-070 Choroszcz

Poland

Phone: +48/85/719 39 77

Fax: +48/85/719 39 77

Email: agataszulc@poczta.onet.pl

Email: agata.szulc@umwb.edu.pl

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