Neuropathological abnormalities in schizophrenia: evidence from magnetization transfer imaging

• DOI: 10.1093/brain/124.5.882
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T22:49:38Z
• Authors: J. Foong
• Keywords: Magnetization transfer

Post-mortem and structural brain imaging studies in schizophrenia have reported macroscopic changes such as global regional cortical volume reductions, but it has been more difficult to characterize the histopathological that underlie these abnormalities. Magnetization transfer (MTI), a novel MRI technique, sensitive subtle or early neuropathological than conventional MRI, provides quantitative measure of macromolecular integrity represented by magnetization ratio (MTR). In this study, we used MTI examine 25 patients with compared 30 age-matched controls. A voxel-based analysis MTR maps revealed widespread reductions cortex unrelated reduction, predominantly frontal temporal regions, schizophrenic when bilateral parieto-occipital genu corpus callosum were associated severity negative symptoms patients. However, not related other clinical variables age, duration illness current dose antipsychotic medication. This study demonstrates abnormalities can be detected chronic may reflect involving neurones neuronal processes. Longitudinal are needed determine whether disease progression manifestations cognitive changes.