Alexander Gussew1, Stefan Smesny2, Patrick Hiepe1, Reinhard Rzanny1, Jrgen R. Reichenbach1
1Medical Physics Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Thuringia, Germany; 2Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
31P/1H CSI data and high resolution structural MR images were acquired in brains of non-medicated first episode schizophrenic patients and age matched healthy controls to investigate metabolic and morphological processes, which underlie the neurodegenerative changes occurring during the manifestation of schizophrenia. Significant group differences of brain white matter contents were detected frontal brain regions. Further, significant increased levels of NAA, glutamate, creatine and choline as well as phosphodiesters and phosphocreatine were observed in the anterior cingular cortex of patients indicating for elevated neurotransmission, membrane turnover and energy demand in this brain area.