Abstract #4133

Reduced gamma-amino butyric acid and elevated Glu/Gln complex in the anterior cingulate cortex of medicated schizophrenic patients

Pui Wai Chiu¹, Queenie Chan², Sai-yu Lui³, Karen Shee Yueng Hung³, Raja Rizal Azman Raja Aman⁴, Raymond Chor Kiu Chan⁵, Pak Chung Sham⁶, Eric Fuk Chi Cheung³, Richard A Edden⁷, and Henry Ka Fung Mak¹

¹Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ²Philips Healthcare, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ³Institute of Mental Health, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ⁴Biomedical Imaging, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ⁵Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, People's Republic of, ⁶Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ⁷Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been reported to exhibit functional and morphological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy controls(HC). In this pilot study, absolute concentrations of GABA([GABA]_abs) and Glx([Glx]_abs) were measured in the ACC of 9 schizophrenic patients and 14 HC at 3.0T. Significant lower [GABA]_abs level in ACC of schizophrenic patients might provide evidence of abnormalities in GABAergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Significant positive correlation between [Glx]_absand positive symptoms subscale might indicate Glx level is specific for positive symptoms in ACC.

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