Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies In First-Episode Patients With Positive Symptoms Of Schizophrenia

Objective: To perform the MRI, diffusion tensor imaging and proton MR spectroscopic imaging in first-episode and neuroleptic-naive patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia and to have a better understanding of advanced MR technology in schizophrenia.Methods: DTI was performed on 26 patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia and 20 normal comparison subjects, and their fractional anisotropy values were subsequently measured in multiple brain regions. To measure FA values in genu and splenium of corpus callosum, frontal white matter, anterior cingulum, hippocampus respectively. And 12 patients were selected to perform MRS examination. Statistical analysis was performed.Results: 1. The statistical results showed a remarkable left-greater-than-right asymmetry anisotropy in the anterior cingulum bundles in normal peoples. 2. Reduced FA was seen for splenium of corpus callosum in the schizophrenia patients than was seen in the comparison subjects. 3. Reduced FA was seen for both sides of the anterior cingulum in the schizophrenia patients, who showed a lack of normal left-greater-than-right asymmetry in the anterior cingulum than was seen in the comparison subjects. 4. The Cho/Cr in left frontal white matter was lower than that in fight of schizophrenic patients. 5. Brain metabolite levels did not differ between left anterior cingulate gray matter and right. 6. Brain metabolite levels did not differ between frontal white matter and gray matter. 7. The NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr in left hippocampus was lower than that in right of patients. Conclusion: 1. The patients with positive symptoms of schizophrenia showed a lack of normal left-greater-than-right asymmetry seen in the comparison subjects.2. There date, while preliminary, suggest that impaired left cerebral hemisphere may be associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, which supports the brain dysfunction in schizophrenia. 3. Abnormalities in throughput of phospholipid membrane in frontal white matter maybe peculiarity of positive symptoms of schizophrenia. 4. The advanced MR technology was very useful in schizophrenia.