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Oxenkrug G, Forester B. Anthranilic Acid, a GPR109A Agonist, and Schizophrenia. Int J Tryptophan Res 2024; 17:11786469241239125. [PMID: 38532858 PMCID: PMC10964450 DOI: 10.1177/11786469241239125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Limited clinical efficiency of current medications warrants search for new antipsychotic agents. Deorphanized G-protein coupled receptor (GPR)109A has not attracted much of attention of schizophrenia researchers. We analyzed literature and our data on endogenous agonists of GPR109A, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), anthranilic (AA), butyric (BA), and nicotinic (NA) acids, in individuals with schizophrenia. Data Sex specific differences: plasma AA levels were 27% higher in female than in male patients and correlated with PANSS before 6 weeks of antipsychotics treatment (r = .625, P < .019, Spearman's test). There was no sex specific differences of plasma AA levels after treatment. AA plasma levels inversely correlated (-.58, P < .005) with PANSS scores in responders to treatment (at least, 50% improvement) but not in nonresponders. Preclinical studies suggested antipsychotic effect of BHB and BA. Clinical studies observed antipsychotic effect of NA; benzoate sodium, an AA precursor; and interventions associated with BHB upregulation (eg, fasting and ketogenic diets). Discussion Upregulation of GPR109A, an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective receptor, inhibits cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), an enzyme that breakdown myelin, lipid-based insulating axonal sheath that protects and promotes nerve conduction. Brain cPLA2 is upregulated in individuals with schizophrenia and subjects at high-risk for development of psychosis. Lower myelin content is associated with cognitive decline in individuals with schizophrenia. Therefore, GPR109A might exert antipsychotic effect via suppression of cPLA2, and, consequently, preservation of myelin integrity. Future research might explore antipsychotic effects of (1) human pegylated kynureninase, an enzyme that catalyzes formation of AA from kynurenine (Kyn); (2) inhibitors of Kyn conversion into kynurenic acid, for example, KYN5356, to patients with already impaired Kyn conversion into 3-hydroxykynurenine; (3) synthetic GPR 109A agonists, for example, MK-1903 and SCH900271 and GSK256073, that underwent clinical trials as anti-dyslipidemia agents. GPR109A expression, that might be a new endophenotype of schizophrenia, especially associated with cognitive impairment, needs thorough assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Oxenkrug
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston MA, USA
| | - Brent Forester
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston MA, USA
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Tani H, Moxon-Emre I, Forde NJ, Neufeld NH, Bingham KS, Whyte EM, Meyers BS, Alexopoulos GS, Hoptman MJ, Rothschild AJ, Uchida H, Flint AJ, Mulsant BH, Voineskos AN. Brain metabolite levels in remitted psychotic depression with consideration of effects of antipsychotic medication. Brain Imaging Behav 2024; 18:117-129. [PMID: 37917311 PMCID: PMC10844359 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00807-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neurobiology of psychotic depression is not well understood and can be confounded by antipsychotics. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an ideal tool to measure brain metabolites non-invasively. We cross-sectionally assessed brain metabolites in patients with remitted psychotic depression and controls. We also longitudinally assessed the effects of olanzapine versus placebo on brain metabolites. METHODS Following remission, patients with psychotic depression were randomized to continue sertraline + olanzapine (n = 15) or switched to sertraline + placebo (n = 18), at which point they completed an MRS scan. Patients completed a second scan either 36 weeks later, relapse, or discontinuation. Where water-scaled metabolite levels were obtained and a Point-RESolved Spectroscopy sequence was utilized, choline, myo-inositol, glutamate + glutamine (Glx), N-acetylaspartate, and creatine were measured in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). An ANCOVA was used to compare metabolites between patients (n = 40) and controls (n = 46). A linear mixed-model was used to compare olanzapine versus placebo groups. RESULTS Cross-sectionally, patients (compared to controls) had higher myo-inositol (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.84; 95%CI = 0.25-1.44; p = 0.005) in the dACC but not different Glx, choline, N-acetylaspartate, and creatine. Longitudinally, patients randomized to placebo (compared to olanzapine) showed a significantly greater change with a reduction of creatine (SMD = 1.51; 95%CI = 0.71-2.31; p = 0.0002) in the dACC but not glutamate + glutamine, choline, myo-inositol, and N-acetylaspartate. CONCLUSIONS Patients with remitted psychotic depression have higher myo-inositol than controls. Olanzapine may maintain creatine levels. Future studies are needed to further disentangle the mechanisms of action of olanzapine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Tani
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Iska Moxon-Emre
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Natalie J Forde
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Nicholas H Neufeld
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kathleen S Bingham
- University Health Network and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ellen M Whyte
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Barnett S Meyers
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - George S Alexopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Hoptman
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anthony J Rothschild
- University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Alastair J Flint
- University Health Network and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Benoit H Mulsant
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Aristotle N Voineskos
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Neufeld NH, Oliver LD, Mulsant BH, Alexopoulos GS, Hoptman MJ, Tani H, Marino P, Meyers BS, Rothschild AJ, Whyte EM, Bingham KS, Flint AJ, Voineskos AN. Effects of antipsychotic medication on functional connectivity in major depressive disorder with psychotic features. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3305-3313. [PMID: 37258617 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The effect of antipsychotic medication on resting state functional connectivity in major depressive disorder (MDD) is currently unknown. To address this gap, we examined patients with MDD with psychotic features (MDDPsy) participating in the Study of the Pharmacotherapy of Psychotic Depression II. All participants were treated with sertraline plus olanzapine and were subsequently randomized to continue sertraline plus olanzapine or be switched to sertraline plus placebo. Participants completed an MRI at randomization and at study endpoint (study completion at Week 36, relapse, or early termination). The primary outcome was change in functional connectivity measured within and between specified networks and the rest of the brain. The secondary outcome was change in network topology measured by graph metrics. Eighty-eight participants completed a baseline scan; 73 completed a follow-up scan, of which 58 were usable for analyses. There was a significant treatment X time interaction for functional connectivity between the secondary visual network and rest of the brain (t = -3.684; p = 0.0004; pFDR = 0.0111). There was no significant treatment X time interaction for graph metrics. Overall, functional connectivity between the secondary visual network and the rest of the brain did not change in participants who stayed on olanzapine but decreased in those switched to placebo. There were no differences in changes in network topology measures when patients stayed on olanzapine or switched to placebo. This suggests that olanzapine may stabilize functional connectivity, particularly between the secondary visual network and the rest of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas H Neufeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Benoit H Mulsant
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - George S Alexopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Westchester Behavioral Health Center, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J Hoptman
- Division of Clinical Research, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hideaki Tani
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Patricia Marino
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Westchester Behavioral Health Center, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Barnett S Meyers
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Westchester Behavioral Health Center, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Anthony J Rothschild
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ellen M Whyte
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathleen S Bingham
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alastair J Flint
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aristotle N Voineskos
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Smesny S, Gussew A, Schack S, Langbein K, Wagner G, Reichenbach JR. Neurometabolic patterns of an "at risk for mental disorders" syndrome involve abnormalities in the thalamus and anterior midcingulate cortex. Schizophr Res 2022; 243:285-295. [PMID: 32444202 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ultra-high risk (UHR) paradigm allows the investigation of individuals at increased risk of developing psychotic or other mental disorders with the aim of making prevention and early intervention as specific as possible in terms of the individual outcome. METHODS Single-session 1H-/31P-Chemical Shift Imaging of thalamus, prefrontal (DLPFC) and anterior midcingulate (aMCC) cortices was applied to 69 UHR patients for psychosis and 61 matched healthy controls. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate/glutamine complex (Glx), energy (PCr, ATP) and phospholipid metabolites were assessed, analysed by ANOVA (or ANCOVA [with covariates]) and correlated with symptomatology (SCL-90R). RESULTS The thalamus showed decreased NAA, inversely correlated with self-rated aggressiveness, as well as increased PCr, and altered phospholipid breakdown. While the aMCC showed a pattern of NAA decrease and PCr increase, the DLPFC showed PCr increase only in the close-to-psychosis patient subgroup. There were no specific findings in transition patients. CONCLUSION The results do not support the notion of a specific pre-psychotic neurometabolic pattern, but likely reflect correlates of an "at risk for mental disorders syndrome". This includes disturbed neuronal (mitochondrial) metabolism in the thalamus and aMCC, with emphasis on left-sided structures, and altered PL remodeling across structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Smesny
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Alexander Gussew
- Department of Radiology, Halle University Hospital, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephan Schack
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Langbein
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Gerd Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen R Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07740 Jena, Germany
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Su W, Li Z, Xu L, Zeng J, Tang Y, Tang X, Wei Y, Guo Q, Zhang T, Wang J. Different patterns of association between white matter microstructure and plasma unsaturated fatty acids in those with high risk for psychosis and healthy participants. Gen Psychiatr 2022; 35:e100703. [PMID: 35531577 PMCID: PMC9014058 DOI: 10.1136/gpsych-2021-100703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDisrupted white matter (WM) microstructure has been commonly identified in youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. Several lines of evidence suggest that fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), might play a crucial role in the WM pathology of early onset psychosis. However, evidence linking UFA and WM microstructure in CHR is quite sparse.AimsWe investigated the relationship between the plasma UFA level and WM microstructure in CHR participants and healthy controls (HC).MethodsPlasma fatty acids were assessed and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were performed with tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis for 66 individuals at CHR for psychosis and 70 HC.ResultsBoth the global and regional diffusion measures showed significant between-group differences, with decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) but increased mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) found in the CHR group compared with the HC group. On top of that, we found that in the HC group, plasma arachidic acid showed obvious trend-level associations with higher global FA, lower global MD and lower global RD, which regionally spread over the corpus callosum, right anterior and superior corona radiata, bilateral anterior and posterior limb of the internal capsule, and bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus. However, there were no associations between global WM measures and any UFA in the CHR group. Conversely, we even found negative associations between arachidic acid levels and regional FA values in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus and right retrolenticular part of the internal capsule in the CHR group.ConclusionsCompared with the HC group, CHR subjects exhibited a different pattern of association between WM microstructure and plasma UFA, with a neuroprotective effect found in the HC group but not in the CHR group. Such discrepancy could be due to the excessively upregulated UFAs accumulated in the plasma of the CHR group, highlighting the role of balanced plasma-membrane fatty acids homeostasis in WM development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Su
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhixing Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihua Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiahui Zeng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochen Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianhong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jijun Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Cerebral phosphoester signals measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 and 7 Tesla. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248632. [PMID: 33735267 PMCID: PMC7971532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal cell membrane metabolism is associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders. Free phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters, which can be detected by in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), are important cell membrane building blocks. However, the quantification of phosphoesters has been highly controversial even in healthy individuals due to overlapping signals from macromolecule membrane phospholipids (MP). In this study, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cerebral 31P MRS spectra were acquired from healthy volunteers at both 3 and 7 Tesla. Our results indicated that, with minimal spectral interference from MP, the [phosphocreatine (PCr)]/[phosphocholine (PC) + glycerophosphocholine (GPC)] ratio measured at 7 Tesla agreed with its value expected from biochemical constraints. In contrast, the 3 Tesla [PCr]/[PC+GPC] ratio obtained using standard spectral fitting procedures was markedly smaller than the 7 Tesla ratio and than the expected value. The analysis suggests that the commonly used spectral model for MP may fail to capture its complex spectral features at 3 Tesla, and that additional prior knowledge is necessary to reliably quantify the phosphoester signals at low magnetic field strengths when spectral overlapping is significant.
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Smesny S, Berberich D, Gussew A, Schönfeld N, Langbein K, Walther M, Reichenbach JR. Alterations of neurometabolism in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamus in transition to psychosis patients change under treatment as usual - A two years follow-up 1H/ 31P-MR-spectroscopy study. Schizophr Res 2021; 228:7-18. [PMID: 33429152 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ultra-high risk (UHR) paradigm allows early contact with patients developing acute psychosis and the study of treatment effects on the underlying pathology. METHODS 29 patients with first acute psychosis according to CAARMS criteria (transition patients, TP) (T0) and thereof 22 patients after two-year follow-up (mean 788 d) (T1) underwent 1H-/31P-MR spectroscopy of the prefrontal (DLPFC) and anterior midcingulate (aMCC) cortices and the thalamus. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu, Glx), energy (PCr, ATP) and phospholipid metabolites (PME, PDE) were compared to 27 healthy controls by ANCOVA and correlated with patients' symptom ratings (BPRS-E, SCL-90R). For longitudinal analysis, linear mixed model (LMM) and ANCOVA for repeated measures were used. RESULTS DLPFC: In patients, NAA and PME were decreased bilaterally and Glu on the left side at T0. Left-sided Glu and NAA (trend) and bilateral Glx increased during follow-up. Thalamus: In TP, bilateral NAA, left-sided Glu and right-sided Glx were decreased at T0; bilateral NAA and left-sided Glx increased during follow-up. aMCC: In TP, bilateral NAA, right-sided Glu, and bilateral PME and PDE were decreased, while left-sided PCr was increased at T0. No changes were observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION Regardless of the long-term diagnosis, the psychotic state of illness includes disturbed neuronal function in the DLPFC, thalamus and aMCC. Treatment-as-usual (TAU), including antipsychotic/antidepressant medication and supportive psychotherapy, had an effect on the thalamo-frontal area but not or less pronounced on the neurometabolic deficits of the aMCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Smesny
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Diana Berberich
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Gussew
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nils Schönfeld
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Kerstin Langbein
- Department of Psychiatry, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Mario Walther
- Jena University of Applied Sciences, Department of Fundamental Sciences, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, D-07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen R Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Philosophenweg 3, D-07740 Jena, Germany
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Song X, Liu Y, Pu J, Gui S, Zhong X, Chen X, Chen W, Chen X, Chen Y, Wang H, Cheng K, Zhao L, Xie P. Transcriptomics Analysis Reveals Shared Pathways in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Brain Tissues of Patients With Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:716722. [PMID: 34630179 PMCID: PMC8492981 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.716722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder with complicated biological mechanisms. Few studies explore the transcriptional features that are shared in brain tissue and peripheral blood. In the present study, we aimed to explore the biological pathways with similar expression patterns in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and brain tissues. Methods: The present study used transcriptomics technology to detect mRNA expression of PBMCs of 10 drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls. Transcriptome data sets of brain tissue of patients with schizophrenia downloaded from public databases were also analyzed in our study. The biological pathways with similar expression patterns in the PBMCs and brain tissues were uncovered by differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and pathway analysis. Finally, the expression levels of differential expressed genes (DEGs) were validated by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in another 12 drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia and 12 healthy controls. Results: We identified 542 DEGs, 51 DEGs, 732 DEGs, and 104 DEGs in PBMCs, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and nucleus accumbent, respectively. Five DEG clusters were recognized as having similar gene expression patterns in PBMCs and brain tissues by WGCNA. The pathway analysis illustrates that these DEG clusters are mainly enriched in several biological pathways that are related to phospholipid metabolism, ribosome signal transduction, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The differential significance of PLAAT3, PLAAT4, PLD2, RPS29, RPL30, COX7C, COX7A2, NDUFAF2, and ATP5ME were confirmed by qPCR. Conclusions: This study finds that the pathways associated with phospholipid metabolism, ribosome signal transduction, and energy metabolism have similar expression patterns in PBMCs and brain tissues of patients with schizophrenia. Our results supply a novel insight for revealing the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and might offer a new approach to explore potential biological markers of peripheral blood in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemian Song
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiyun Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juncai Pu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Siwen Gui
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaogang Zhong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaopeng Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiyi Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychoseomadsy, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Libo Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment on Brain Functional Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Psychoseomadsy, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Alqarni A, Mitchell TW, McGorry PD, Nelson B, Markulev C, Yuen HP, Schäfer MR, Berger M, Mossaheb N, Schlögelhofer M, Smesny S, Hickie IB, Berger GE, Chen EYH, de Haan L, Nieman DH, Nordentoft M, Riecher-Rössler A, Verma S, Thompson A, Yung AR, Amminger GP, Meyer BJ. Comparison of erythrocyte omega-3 index, fatty acids and molecular phospholipid species in people at ultra-high risk of developing psychosis and healthy people. Schizophr Res 2020; 226:44-51. [PMID: 31301881 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
People classified as ultra-high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis have reduced cellular membrane omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). We aimed to compare omega-3 index, fatty acids and molecular phospholipid species from erythrocytes of people with UHR (n = 285) with age-matched healthy controls (n = 120) assessed by mass spectrometry. Lower proportions of PUFA were observed in the UHR group compared to healthy controls; specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was 29.3% lower, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was 27.2% lower, arachidonic acid (AA) was 15.8% lower and the omega-3 index was 26.9% lower. The AA to EPA ratio was higher in the UHR group compared to the healthy group. Smoking status had no significant effect on PUFA levels in healthy or the UHR groups. BMI was associated with PUFA levels in the UHR group only and the statistical model only explains 2% of the variance of the PUFA levels. The proportion of nervonic acid was 64.4% higher in the UHR group compared to healthy controls. At a lipid class level, the UHR group had 16% higher concentrations of sphingomyelin (SM) and 46% lower concentrations phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) compared to healthy group. Of the 49 individual molecular phospholipids, twenty-seven phospholipid species were lower in the UHR group. In conclusion, there are clear differences in the proportions of erythrocyte fatty acids and phospholipids between UHR and healthy controls and UHR had higher concentrations of SM and lower concentrations of PE. These differences may represent a promising prodromal risk biomarker in the UHR population to aid clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayedh Alqarni
- School of Medicine, Molecular Horizons, Lipid Research Centre, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia; King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Todd W Mitchell
- School of Medicine, Molecular Horizons, Lipid Research Centre, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Patrick D McGorry
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Barnaby Nelson
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Connie Markulev
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hok Pan Yuen
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Miriam R Schäfer
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maximus Berger
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nilufar Mossaheb
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Stefan Smesny
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ian B Hickie
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gregor E Berger
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eric Y H Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lieuwe de Haan
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (location AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dorien H Nieman
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (location AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Swapna Verma
- Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrew Thompson
- Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; North Warwickshire Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, Coventry and Warwickshire National Health Service Partnership Trust, Coventry, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Alison Ruth Yung
- Institute of Brain, Behaviour, and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Greater Manchester West National Health Service Mental Health Foundation Trust, Manchester, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - G Paul Amminger
- Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Australia; The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Barbara J Meyer
- School of Medicine, Molecular Horizons, Lipid Research Centre, University of Wollongong, and Illawarra Health & Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Australia.
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Romeo B, Petillion A, Martelli C, Benyamina A. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in subjects with high risk for psychosis: A meta-analysis and review. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 125:52-65. [PMID: 32203740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Even though anomalies on brain metabolites have been found in schizophrenia, researches about subjects with high risk (HR) show heterogeneous results. Thus, this meta-analysis aims to characterize the metabolic profile of HR subjects, first, compared to controls (HC) and then compared to people with schizophrenia. METHODS After a systematic database search, means and standard deviations were extracted to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD). Cerebral metabolites levels were compared between HR subjects and HC or patients with schizophrenia in all regions of interest investigated in included studies. Meta-regressions were performed to explore the influence of demographic and clinical variables on metabolites level's SMDs. RESULTS Thirty-nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. A higher level of glutamine + glutamate (Glx) was found in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) (p < 0.01) and potentially in the basal ganglia (p = 0,05) as well as a higher level of myo-inositol (mI) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (p = 0.04) in HR subjects compared to HC. A higher level of choline (Cho) was found in people with schizophrenia compared to HR subjects in the DLPFC (p < 0.001) and the medial temporal lobe (p = 0.02). Meta-regression analyses showed negative associations between SMD for Cho concentration, the percentage of females or the age (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The present meta-analysis provides evidence that some brain metabolites concentrations are disrupted before the transition to psychosis and could be considered like a vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Romeo
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions-Unité de Recherche, PSYCOMADD Université Paris Sud - AP-HP, Université Paris Saclay, France.
| | - Amelie Petillion
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions-Unité de Recherche, PSYCOMADD Université Paris Sud - AP-HP, Université Paris Saclay, France
| | - Catherine Martelli
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions-Unité de Recherche, PSYCOMADD Université Paris Sud - AP-HP, Université Paris Saclay, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1000, Research unit, NeuroImaging and Psychiatry, Paris Sud University- Paris Saclay University, Paris Descartes University, Digiteo Labs, Bâtiment 660, Gif-sur- Yvette, France
| | - Amine Benyamina
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions-Unité de Recherche, PSYCOMADD Université Paris Sud - AP-HP, Université Paris Saclay, France
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Abstract
BackgroundNeurobiological studies of the early course of psychoses, such as schizophrenia, allow investigation of pathophysiology without the confounds of illness chronicity and treatment.AimsTo review the recent literature on the biology of the early course of psychoses.MethodWe carried out a critical appraisal of the recent findings in the neurobiology of early psychoses, using structural, functional and neurochemical imaging techniques.ResultsBrain structural alterations are present early in the illness and may predate symptom onset. Some changes, notably those in frontal and temporal lobes, can progress during the early phases of the illness. Functional and neurochemical brain abnormalities can also be seen in the premorbid and the early phases of the illness. Some, although not all, changes can be trait-like whereas some others might progress during the early years.ConclusionsA better understanding of such changes, especially during the critical periods of the prodrome, around the transition to the psychotic phase and during the early phases of the illness is crucial for continued research into preventive intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matcheri S Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, UCH 9B, 4201 St Antoine Boulevard, Detroit, MI, USA.
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12
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Chouinard VA, Kim SY, Valeri L, Yuksel C, Ryan KP, Chouinard G, Cohen BM, Du F, Öngür D. Brain bioenergetics and redox state measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in unaffected siblings of patients with psychotic disorders. Schizophr Res 2017; 187:11-16. [PMID: 28258794 PMCID: PMC5581291 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain bioenergetic anomalies and redox dysregulation have been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. The present study examined brain energy-related metabolites and the balance between nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolites (oxidized NAD+ and reduced NADH) using 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) in unaffected siblings, compared to first episode psychosis (FEP) patients and healthy controls. METHODS 21 unaffected siblings, 32 FEP patients (including schizophrenia spectrum and affective psychoses), and 21 controls underwent 31P-MRS in the frontal lobe (6×6×4cm3) on a 4T MR scanner, using custom-designed dual-tuned surface coil with outer volume suppression. Brain parenchymal pH and steady-state metabolite ratios of high energy phosphate compounds were measured. NAD+ and NADH levels were determined using a 31P-MRS fitting algorithm. 13 unaffected sibling-patient pairs were related; other patients and siblings were unrelated. ANCOVA analyses were used to examine 31P-MRS measures, with age and gender as covariates. RESULTS The phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate ratio was significantly reduced in both unaffected siblings and FEP patients, compared to controls. NAD+/NADH ratio was significantly reduced in patients compared to siblings and controls, with siblings showing a reduction in NAD+/NADH compared to controls that was not statistically significant. Compared to patients and controls, siblings showed significantly reduced levels of NAD+. Siblings did not differ from patients or controls on brain pH. DISCUSSION Our results indicate that unaffected siblings show some, but not all the same abnormalities in brain energy metabolites and redox state as FEP patients. Thus, 31P-MRS studies may identify factors related both to risk and expression of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie-Anne Chouinard
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sang-Young Kim
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda Valeri
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Cagri Yuksel
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kyle P Ryan
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Guy Chouinard
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Mental Health Institute of Montreal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bruce M Cohen
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fei Du
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dost Öngür
- Psychotic Disorders Division, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Do KQ, Cuenod M, Hensch TK. Targeting Oxidative Stress and Aberrant Critical Period Plasticity in the Developmental Trajectory to Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2015; 41:835-46. [PMID: 26032508 PMCID: PMC4466197 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbv065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder reflecting a convergence of genetic risk and early life stress. The slow progression to first psychotic episode represents both a window of vulnerability as well as opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Here, we consider recent neurobiological insight into the cellular and molecular components of developmental critical periods and their vulnerability to redox dysregulation. In particular, the consistent loss of parvalbumin-positive interneuron (PVI) function and their surrounding perineuronal nets (PNNs) as well as myelination in patient brains is consistent with a delayed or extended period of circuit instability. This linkage to critical period triggers (PVI) and brakes (PNN, myelin) implicates mistimed trajectories of brain development in mental illness. Strategically introduced antioxidant treatment or later reinforcement of molecular brakes may then offer a novel prophylactic psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Q. Do
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital-CHUV, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Cuenod
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital-CHUV, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Takao K. Hensch
- Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA,*To whom correspondence should be addressed; Center for Brain Science, Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, US; tel: +1-617-384-5882; fax: +1-617-495-4038; e-mail:
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Lu M, Chen W, Zhu XH. Field dependence study of in vivo brain (31) P MRS up to 16.4 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2014; 27:1135-41. [PMID: 25070004 PMCID: PMC4180101 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In vivo (31) P MRS provides a unique tool for studying bioenergetics of living organs. Although its utility has been limited by the relatively low (31) P NMR sensitivity, increasing magnetic field strength (B0 ) could significantly improve the quality and reliability of the (31) P MR spectra for biomedical research. To quantitatively understand the field dependence of in vivo (31) P MRS for brain applications, (31) P NMR sensitivity of phosphocreatine (PCr) in rat brains was measured and compared at 9.4 T and 16.4 T. Additionally, the linewidths and T1 relaxation times of PCr and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) resonances obtained from human and animal brains over a wide B0 range from 4 T, 7 T, and 9.4 T to 16.4 T were examined and their field dependences were quantified. The results indicate an approximate 1.74-fold (31) P signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain for PCr at 16.4 T compared with 9.4 T. An approximate power 1.4 dependence of (31) P SNR on B0 was concluded. Substantial improvements in spectral resolution and significantly shortened T1 values of brain PCr and ATP were observed at high/ultrahigh fields, contributing to an additional sensitivity gain and spectral improvement. In summary, the overall findings from this study suggest that in vivo (31) P MRS should greatly benefit from high/ultrahigh fields for noninvasive assessment of altered bioenergetics and metabolic processes associated with brain function and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lu
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Xiao-Hong Zhu
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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15
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Weber-Fahr W, Englisch S, Esser A, Tunc-Skarka N, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Ende G, Zink M. Altered phospholipid metabolism in schizophrenia: a phosphorus 31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Psychiatry Res 2013; 214:365-73. [PMID: 24045051 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2013.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Phospholipid (PL) metabolism is investigated by in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Inconsistent alterations of phosphocholine (PC), phosphoethanolamine (PE), glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) have been described in schizophrenia, which might be overcome by specific editing techniques. The selective refocused insensitive nuclei-enhanced polarization transfer (RINEPT) technique was applied in a cross-sectional study involving 11 schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients (SZP) on stable antipsychotic monotherapy and 15 matched control subjects. Metabolite signals were found to be modulated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) content and gray matter/brain matter ratio. Corrected metabolite concentrations of PC, GPC and PE differed between patients and controls in both subcortical and cortical regions, whereas antipsychotic medication exerted only small effects. Significant correlations were found between the severity of clinical symptoms and the assessed signals. In particular, psychotic symptoms correlated with PC levels in the cerebral cortex, depression with PC levels in the cerebellum and executive functioning with GPC in the insular and temporal cortices. In conclusion, after controlling for age and tissue composition, this investigation revealed alterations of metabolite levels in SZP and correlations with clinical properties. RINEPT 31P MRS should also be applied to at-risk-mental-state patients as well as drug-naïve and chronically treated schizophrenic patients in order to enhance the understanding of longitudinal alterations of PL metabolism in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Weber-Fahr
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Thermenos HW, Keshavan MS, Juelich RJ, Molokotos E, Whitfield-Gabrieli S, Brent BK, Makris N, Seidman LJ. A review of neuroimaging studies of young relatives of individuals with schizophrenia: a developmental perspective from schizotaxia to schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2013; 162B:604-35. [PMID: 24132894 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In an effort to identify the developing abnormalities preceding psychosis, Dr. Ming T. Tsuang and colleagues at Harvard expanded Meehl's concept of "schizotaxia," and examined brain structure and function in families affected by schizophrenia (SZ). Here, we systematically review genetic (familial) high-risk (HR) studies of SZ using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), examine how findings inform models of SZ etiology, and suggest directions for future research. Neuroimaging studies of youth at HR for SZ through the age of 30 were identified through a MEDLINE (PubMed) search. There is substantial evidence of gray matter volume abnormalities in youth at HR compared to controls, with an accelerated volume reduction over time in association with symptoms and cognitive deficits. In structural neuroimaging studies, prefrontal cortex (PFC) alterations were the most consistently reported finding in HR. There was also consistent evidence of smaller hippocampal volume. In functional studies, hyperactivity of the right PFC during performance of diverse tasks with common executive demands was consistently reported. The only longitudinal fMRI study to date revealed increasing left middle temporal activity in association with the emergence of psychotic symptoms. There was preliminary evidence of cerebellar and default mode network alterations in association with symptoms. Brain abnormalities in structure, function and neurochemistry are observed in the premorbid period in youth at HR for SZ. Future research should focus on the genetic and environmental contributions to these alterations, determine how early they emerge, and determine whether they can be partially or fully remediated by innovative treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Thermenos
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Division of Public Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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McEvoy J, Baillie RA, Zhu H, Buckley P, Keshavan MS, Nasrallah HA, Dougherty GG, Yao JK, Kaddurah-Daouk R. Lipidomics reveals early metabolic changes in subjects with schizophrenia: effects of atypical antipsychotics. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68717. [PMID: 23894336 PMCID: PMC3722141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a critical need for mapping early metabolic changes in schizophrenia to capture failures in regulation of biochemical pathways and networks. This information could provide valuable insights about disease mechanisms, trajectory of disease progression, and diagnostic biomarkers. We used a lipidomics platform to measure individual lipid species in 20 drug-naïve patients with a first episode of schizophrenia (FE group), 20 patients with chronic schizophrenia that had not adhered to prescribed medications (RE group), and 29 race-matched control subjects without schizophrenia. Lipid metabolic profiles were evaluated and compared between study groups and within groups before and after treatment with atypical antipsychotics, risperidone and aripiprazole. Finally, we mapped lipid profiles to n3 and n6 fatty acid synthesis pathways to elucidate which enzymes might be affected by disease and treatment. Compared to controls, the FE group showed significant down-regulation of several n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including 20:5n3, 22:5n3, and 22:6n3 within the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine lipid classes. Differences between FE and controls were only observed in the n3 class PUFAs; no differences where noted in n6 class PUFAs. The RE group was not significantly different from controls, although some compositional differences within PUFAs were noted. Drug treatment was able to correct the aberrant PUFA levels noted in FE patients, but changes in re patients were not corrective. Treatment caused increases in both n3 and n6 class lipids. These results supported the hypothesis that phospholipid n3 fatty acid deficits are present early in the course of schizophrenia and tend not to persist throughout its course. These changes in lipid metabolism could indicate a metabolic vulnerability in patients with schizophrenia that occurs early in development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph McEvoy
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Hongjie Zhu
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Peter Buckley
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Matcheri S. Keshavan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Henry A. Nasrallah
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - George G. Dougherty
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey K. Yao
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Rima Kaddurah-Daouk
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Nenadic I, Langbein K, Weisbrod M, Maitra R, Rzanny R, Gussew A, Reichenbach JR, Sauer H, Smesny S. 31P-MR spectroscopy in monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Schizophr Res 2012; 134:296-7. [PMID: 22051037 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Revised: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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19
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Diwadkar VA, Pruitt P, Zhang A, Radwan J, Keshavan MS, Murphy E, Rajan U, Zajac-Benitez C. The neural correlates of performance in adolescents at risk for schizophrenia: inefficiently increased cortico-striatal responses measured with fMRI. J Psychiatr Res 2012; 46:12-21. [PMID: 22033368 PMCID: PMC5731832 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2011] [Revised: 09/09/2011] [Accepted: 09/29/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND fMRI studies indicate that schizophrenia patients and their adult relatives require greater prefrontal activation to maintain performance at levels equal to controls, but studies have not established if this pattern of inefficiency is observed in child and adolescent offspring of schizophrenia patients (SCZ-Off). METHODS Using a task with visual working memory demands, we investigated activation in cortico-striatal networks and dorsal prefrontal modulation of regions underlying visual working memory in a group of SCZ-Off (n = 19) and controls with no family history of psychosis (n = 25 subjects) using an event-related design. Trials were divided based on memory performance (correct vs. incorrect) to specifically identify the neural correlates of correct working memory performance. RESULTS Whereas groups did not differ in terms of behavioral accuracy, SCZ-Off demonstrated significantly increased fMRI-measured activation in dorsal prefrontal cortex and the caudate nucleus during correct, relative to incorrect memory performance. Whereas activation in SCZ-Off was high and independent of performance in each region, in controls the fMRI response was related to behavioral proficiency in the caudate. Further, exploratory analyses indicated that this inefficiency in the dorsal prefrontal cortex response increased with age in SCZ-Off (but in no other regions or group). Finally, these differences were not based in differences in dorsal prefrontal modulation of other regions during successful performance. DISCUSSION These results are consistent with observed patterns in adult patients and first-degree relatives. Inefficient fronto-striatal responses during working memory may characterize the schizophrenia diathesis and may reflect the effects of the illness and vulnerability for the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav A Diwadkar
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University SOM, MI 48201, USA.
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Yao JK, Keshavan MS. Antioxidants, redox signaling, and pathophysiology in schizophrenia: an integrative view. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 15:2011-35. [PMID: 21126177 PMCID: PMC3159108 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Revised: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a brain disorder that has been intensively studied for over a century; yet, its etiology and multifactorial pathophysiology remain a puzzle. However, significant advances have been made in identifying numerous abnormalities in key biochemical systems. One among these is the antioxidant defense system (AODS) and redox signaling. This review summarizes the findings to date in human studies. The evidence can be broadly clustered into three major themes: perturbations in AODS, relationships between AODS alterations and other systems (i.e., membrane structure, immune function, and neurotransmission), and clinical implications. These domains of AODS have been examined in samples from both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Findings in patients with SZ include decreased nonenzymatic antioxidants, increased lipid peroxides and nitric oxides, and homeostatic imbalance of purine catabolism. Reductions of plasma antioxidant capacity are seen in patients with chronic illness as well as early in the course of SZ. Notably, these data indicate that many AODS alterations are independent of treatment effects. Moreover, there is burgeoning evidence indicating a link among oxidative stress, membrane defects, immune dysfunction, and multineurotransmitter pathologies in SZ. Finally, the body of evidence reviewed herein provides a theoretical rationale for the development of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey K Yao
- Medical Research Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System,7180 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
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Mandal PK, Akolkar H. A new experimental approach and signal processing scheme for the detection and quantitation of ³¹P brain neurochemicals from in vivo MRS studies using dual tuned (¹H/³¹P) head coil. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 412:302-6. [PMID: 21820416 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.07.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Brain (31)P-neurometabolites play an important role in energy and membrane metabolism. Unambiguous identification and quantification of these neurochemicals in different brain regions would be a great aid in advancing the understanding of metabolic processes in the nervous system. Phosphomonoester (PME), consisting of phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC), is the "building block" for membranes, while phosphodiesters (PDE), consisting of glycerophosphocholine (GPC) and glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE) metabolites are involved in the membrane breakdown process. In the clinical setting, generating well-resolved spectra for PC, PE, GPC, and GPE could be crucial phospholipids in providing information regarding membrane metabolism. We present here a new experimental approach for generating well-resolved (31)P spectra for PC and PE as well as for GPC, GPE, and other (31)P metabolites. Our results (based on uni-dimensional (1D) and multi-voxel (31)P studies) indicate that an intermediate excitation pulse angle (35°) is best suited to obtain well-resolved PC/PE and GPC/GPE resonance peaks. Our novel signal processing scheme allows generating metabolite maps of different phospholipids include PC/PE and GPC/GPE using the 'time-domain-frequency-domain' method as referred to in the MATLAB programming language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravat K Mandal
- Neurospectroscopy and Neuroimaging Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.
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Keshavan MS, DeLisi LE, Seidman LJ. Early and broadly defined psychosis risk mental states. Schizophr Res 2011; 126:1-10. [PMID: 21123033 PMCID: PMC3388534 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2010.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2010] [Revised: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Current definitions of the prodromal (or at-risk mental state) phase of schizophrenia include attenuated and/or transient psychotic symptoms as well as a combination of different risk indicators and a recent significant deterioration in global functioning. Data accumulated to date suggest rates of conversion to frank psychosis within two years in 25 to 40% of cases supporting the validity of these criteria. However, at this late phase of illness, functional deterioration is often already pronounced, highlighting the need for earlier identification. Moreover, negative symptoms and social impairments, cognitive deficits, other non-psychotic psychopathology and/or functional decline and non-specific biological indicators, often can be detected well before the at-risk mental state as currently defined; indicating that a broad characterization of an earlier stage may be possible. Identifying specific criteria to define this group of individuals, starting from the framework of familial high-risk, can help define a broader group of people, including earlier at-risk mental states, for future research. The hope is that this research will help facilitate intervention at earlier stages that may in turn minimize functional deterioration, and delay, attenuate or even prevent transition to psychosis. The disadvantages as well as the potential benefits of this approach are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matcheri S. Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts Mental Health Center; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Correspondence: Matcheri S. Keshavan, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts Mental Health Center 401 Park Drive, Room 2P12 The Landmark Center Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Lynn E. DeLisi
- Department of Psychiatry, VA Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, Mass; Visiting Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Larry J. Seidman
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachusetts Mental Health Center; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Longitudinal alterations of executive function in non-psychotic adolescents at familial risk for schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2010; 34:469-74. [PMID: 20117163 PMCID: PMC3163435 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2009] [Revised: 01/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic diathesis to schizophrenia may involve alterations of adolescent neurodevelopment manifesting as cognitive deficits. Brain regions mediating executive function (fronto-striatal circuits) develop during adolescence while those supporting elementary aspects of attention (e.g. sustained focused attention) have a more protracted maturation beginning in childhood. We hence predicted that adolescents at risk for schizophrenia would show a failure of normal maturation of executive function. We prospectively assessed 18 offspring and 6 siblings of schizophrenia patients (HR) and 28 healthy controls at baseline, year-1 and year-2 follow-up using the Continuous Performance Test [visual-d'] and Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST). Perseverative errors on the WCST in HR remained stable but decreased in controls over the follow-up (study-group by assessment-time interaction, p=0.01, controlling for IQ). No significant study-group by assessment-time interactions were seen for sustained attentional performance. HR may not improve while healthy subjects progressively improve on executive function during adolescence and early adulthood. Our results suggest an altered maturational trajectory of executive function during adolescence in individuals at familial risk for schizophrenia.
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Prasad KM, Goradia D, Eack S, Rajagopalan M, Nutche J, Magge T, Rajarethinam R, Keshavan MS. Cortical surface characteristics among offspring of schizophrenia subjects. Schizophr Res 2010; 116:143-51. [PMID: 19962858 PMCID: PMC2818600 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2009] [Revised: 11/05/2009] [Accepted: 11/06/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A systematic study of cortical surface parameters in adolescent offspring of schizophrenia subjects before clinical manifestation could clarify neurodevelopmental antecedents of increased genetic risk. We examined these measures obtained on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at baseline and one year on a series of offspring of schizophrenia parents and healthy subjects. METHODS We measured cortical surface area, curvature and thickness using BRAINS2 on structural MRI scans acquired using 1.5 T GE whole body scanner on all subjects. We examined the differences between study groups at baseline using mixed-effects models, and longitudinal trajectory of these measures using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS At baseline, offspring of schizophrenia parents showed reduced gyral surface area in the fronto-parietal lobes along with increased sulcal curvature and parietal gyral cortical thinning compared to healthy subjects. Prospective follow up of these subjects for one year showed shrinking of the total surface area, especially in the bilateral frontal and occipital regions along with preservation of cortical thickness among offspring of schizophrenia parents whereas healthy subjects showed preserved or increased surface area and cortical thinning. Correlation of these measures with lobar volumes was not observed at baseline cross-sectional comparisons but was observed in longitudinal examinations. DISCUSSION Our observations suggest that adolescents with genetically elevated risk for schizophrenia show altered cortical surface measures affecting cortical surface area and thickness differentially suggesting a divergent trajectory of neurodevelopment. Cortical surface measures appear to be more sensitive to genetic liability to schizophrenia compared to volumetric measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konasale M. Prasad
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Dhruman Goradia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Shaun Eack
- School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Malolan Rajagopalan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Jeffrey Nutche
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Tara Magge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Rajaprabhakaran Rajarethinam
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Matcheri S. Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
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Yoo SY, Yeon S, Choi CH, Kang DH, Lee JM, Shin NY, Jung WH, Choi JS, Jang DP, Kwon JS. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in subjects with high genetic risk of schizophrenia: investigation of anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and thalamus. Schizophr Res 2009; 111:86-93. [PMID: 19406622 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2009.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2008] [Revised: 03/21/2009] [Accepted: 03/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reduced N-acetylaspartate levels in regions of the frontal cortex, including the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and thalamus, involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia suggest that brain metabolite abnormalities may be a marker of genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia. We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) to acquire absolute concentrations of brain metabolites in subjects with a high genetic risk of schizophrenia to investigate the potential relationship between unexpressed genetic liability to schizophrenia and neuronal dysfunction. METHOD Included in the study were 22 subjects who had at least two relatives with schizophrenia (high genetic risk group) and 22 controls with no second-degree relatives with schizophrenia. Absolute concentrations of N-acetylaspartate, creatine, choline, glutamate/glutamine, and myo-inositol and the ratios of metabolites in the anterior cingulate cortex, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and left thalamus were measured using H-MRS at 1.5 Tesla. RESULTS Relative to the controls, the high genetic risk group showed significant differences in absolute metabolite levels in the spectra of the regions of the left thalamus, including significant decreases in N-acetylaspartate, creatine, and choline concentrations. CONCLUSIONS The study points to neuronal dysfunction, and in particular thalamic dysfunction, as a key region of the vulnerability marker of schizophrenia. Further studies should examine the nature of the thalamus more intensively to further our understanding of thalamic dysfunction as a vulnerability marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Yoo
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Eack SM, Prasad KMR, Montrose DM, Goradia DD, Dworakowski D, Miewald J, Keshavan MS. An integrated psychobiological predictive model of emergent psychopathology among young relatives at risk for schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2008; 32:1873-8. [PMID: 18812206 PMCID: PMC2649961 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2008.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2008] [Revised: 08/06/2008] [Accepted: 08/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies of young relatives at elevated risk for schizophrenia have pointed to the importance of a variety of neurobiological, cognitive, and clinical risk factors for the disorder; yet few have employed integrated models to estimate the joint contribution of these factors to heightened schizophrenic risk. We tested the predictive power of an integrated psychobiological model of schizophrenia risk to subsequent psychopathology development among young relatives at risk for the disorder. METHODS Young first (n=66) and second (n=20) degree relatives of schizophrenia probands were followed for an average of 3 (SD=1.13) years to examine their trajectories toward psychopathology development. Neurobiologic, cognitive, and clinical measures were employed in an integrated structural equation model to estimate their contribution to the prospective emergence of psychopathology. RESULTS Results indicated that neurobiological, neurocognitive, and psychosis proneness factors at baseline were all uniquely predictive of subsequent psychopathology development, and that an integrated model of psychopathology development that took into account these factors provided an excellent fit to the observed data. Subsequent classification analyses of model accuracy using likelihood ratios adjusting for the base-rate of psychopathology development in this sample revealed that individuals identified by this model had a 71% chance of developing psychopathology in the future. CONCLUSIONS An integrated model of biobehavioral risk factors may provide a powerful method for predicting psychopathology and schizophrenia risk in at-risk samples. If validated, this model may be useful for early detection and intervention programs. Future research will need to focus particularly on predicting schizophrenia development and refining models to further enhance sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun M Eack
- Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Abrams DJ, Rojas DC, Arciniegas DB. Is schizoaffective disorder a distinct categorical diagnosis? A critical review of the literature. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2008; 4:1089-109. [PMID: 19337453 PMCID: PMC2646642 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s4120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable debate surrounds the inclusion of schizoaffective disorder in psychiatric nosology. Schizoaffective disorder may be a variant of schizophrenia in which mood symptoms are unusually prominent but not unusual in type. This condition may instead reflect a severe form of either major depressive or bipolar disorder in which episode-related psychotic symptoms fail to remit completely between mood episodes. Alternatively, schizoaffective disorder may reflect the co-occurrence of two relatively common psychiatric illnesses, schizophrenia and a mood disorder (major depressive or bipolar disorder). Each of these formulations of schizoaffective disorder presents nosological challenges because the signs and symptoms of this condition cross conventional categorical diagnostic boundaries between psychotic disorders and mood disorders. The study, evaluation, and treatment of persons presently diagnosed with schizoaffective may be more usefully informed by a dimensional approach. It is in this context that this article reviews and contrasts the categorical and dimensional approaches to its description, neurobiology, and treatment. Based on this review, an argument for the study and treatment of this condition using a dimensional approach is offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Abrams
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
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Abstract
The past three decades have seen a great upsurge in studies focusing on the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Early studies, dating back to the start of the previous century, largely relied either on post-mortem examination of the brains of older patients with chronic schizophrenia or on brain scans in patients with established schizophrenia. It was therefore difficult to appraise the effects of the illness separately from those of aging, illness chronicity and medications. Avoiding such difficulties, studies of individuals in the early phases of schizophrenia have greatly enhanced our understanding of the course and predictive value of the neurobiological changes as well as approaches to optimal early interventions. In this paper, we review what we see as key directions in neurobiology research in early schizophrenia. We first provide an overview of alterations in cognition, structural and functional neuroanatomy, and neurochemistry in the early phases of schizophrenia. We conclude by summarizing the current state of understanding of the role of genetic and environmental factors and their interactions in the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ripu D Jindal
- University of Ottawa School of Medicine, Champlain District First Episode Psychosis Program, 1355 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Sota M, Allegri C, Cortesi M, Barale F, Politi P, Fusar-Poli P. Targeting the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplementation on schizophrenic spectrum disorders: Role of neuroimaging. Med Hypotheses 2007; 69:466-7. [PMID: 17324526 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2006] [Accepted: 12/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
Bioactive lipids, in particular arachidonic acid (AA), are vital for monoaminergic neurotransmission, brain development and synaptic plasticity. Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are key-enzymes in AA metabolism and are activated during monoaminergic neurotransmission. Reduced membrane AA levels, and an altered activity of PLA2 have been found in peripheral membranes of drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia with some conflicting results in more chronic patient populations. Furthermore, in vivo brain phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggests reduced lipid membrane precursors (phosphomonoesters) and increased membrane breakdown products (phosphodiesters) in drug-naïve or early treated first-episode schizophrenia patients compared to age-matched controls or chronic populations and these changes were correlated with peripheral red blood cell membrane AA levels. We postulate that processes modulating membrane lipid metabolism are associated with psychotic illnesses and might partially explain the mechanism of action of antipsychotic agents, as well as experimental agents such as purified ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA). Recent supplementation trials suggest that E-EPA is a modestly effective augmentation treatment resulting in reduced doses of antipsychotic medication in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia (but not in residual-type schizophrenia). This review investigates the role of bioactive lipids in schizophrenia and its treatment, as well as its potential use in prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor E Berger
- ORYGEN Youth Health and ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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31
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Keshavan MS, Diwadkar VA, Montrose DM, Rajarethinam R, Sweeney JA. Premorbid indicators and risk for schizophrenia: a selective review and update. Schizophr Res 2005; 79:45-57. [PMID: 16139479 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2005.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Prospective studies of young relatives at risk for schizophrenia (high-risk studies, HR) can shed light on premorbid precursors of schizophrenia. Early HR studies pointed to a wide prevalence of schizophrenia spectrum psychopathology among young relatives at increased genetic risk. Recent studies suggest that young HR relatives have neurobehavioral deficits and structural, physiological, and neurochemical brain abnormalities that may date back to childhood or earlier. In this paper, we provide a selected overview of the lessons and limitations of early "first generation" studies and the beginning insights from recent "second generation" studies. We also provide an interim summary of data from the ongoing studies of young relatives at risk for schizophrenia in Pittsburgh. Collectively, such data may help us to predict the eventual emergence of schizophrenia, and schizophrenia spectrum or non-spectrum psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matcheri S Keshavan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St Antoine, Suite 9B, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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Kim H, McGrath BM, Silverstone PH. A review of the possible relevance of inositol and the phosphatidylinositol second messenger system (PI-cycle) to psychiatric disorders--focus on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies. Hum Psychopharmacol 2005; 20:309-26. [PMID: 15880397 DOI: 10.1002/hup.693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Myo-inositol is an important part of the phosphatidylinositol second messenger system (PI-cycle). Abnormalities in nerve cell myo-inositol levels and/or PI-cycle regulation has been suggested as being involved in the pathophysiology and/or treatment of many psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. This review examines the metabolism and biochemical importance of myo-inositol and the PI-cycle. It relates this to the current in vivo evidence for myo-inositol and PI-cycle involvement in these psychiatric disorders, particularly focusing upon the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings in patient studies to date. From this review it is concluded that while the evidence suggests probable relevance to the pathophysiology and/or treatment of bipolar disorder, there is much less support for a significant role for the PI-cycle or myo-inositol in any other psychiatric disorder. More definitive investigation is required before PI-cycle dysfunction can be considered specific to bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Prasad KMR, Chowdari KV, Nimgaonkar VL, Talkowski ME, Lewis DA, Keshavan MS. Genetic polymorphisms of the RGS4 and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex morphometry among first episode schizophrenia patients. Mol Psychiatry 2005; 10:213-9. [PMID: 15381923 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Polymorphisms of the gene encoding the regulator of G-protein signaling subtype 4 (RGS4) may confer risk for schizophrenia.(1) DNA microarray studies of postmortem brain samples have shown RGS4 underexpression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, area 9), motor and visual cortices in schizophrenia patients relative to control subjects.(2) Underexpression of RGS4 in DLPFC is pathophysiologically significant because DLPFC pathology in schizophrenia has been supported by neurocognitive,(3,4) structural(5) and functional(6,7) imaging, postmortem,(8) cellular(9,10) and molecular(11) pathological studies. For these reasons, we examined the association of DLPFC gray matter volume with RGS4 polymorphisms in a series of antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients and control subjects. We hypothesized that volumetric alterations of the DLPFC would be associated with RGS4 polymorphisms and that these differences would be more pronounced in patients than in controls. We observed robust volumetric differences across the genotypes in the pooled sample of patients and control subjects; when separately analyzed, we observed differences within the patient group (n = 30) but not in control subject (n = 27) group. The findings suggest that RGS4 polymorphisms may contribute to structural alterations in the DLPFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M R Prasad
- Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Kaiser S, Foltz LA, George CA, Kirkwood SC, Bemis KG, Lin X, Gelbert LM, Nisenbaum LK. Phencyclidine-induced changes in rat cortical gene expression identified by microarray analysis: implications for schizophrenia. Neurobiol Dis 2004; 16:220-35. [PMID: 15207279 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2004.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2003] [Revised: 01/05/2004] [Accepted: 01/22/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute phencyclidine induces schizophrenia-like symptoms in healthy humans and psychotic episodes in schizophrenics. Although phencyclidine is known as a N-methyl d-aspartate receptor antagonist (NMDA-R), the molecular events underlying the behavioral symptoms remain largely unknown. Statistical analysis of oligonucleotide microarray data was used to identify phencyclidine-induced alterations in rat cortical gene expression. Acute phencyclidine produced a statistically significant change in 477 genes in rat prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain area associated with cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenics. Real-time quantitative PCR (RTQ-PCR) confirmed a subset of these changes ranging from -59% to 255% (smallest confirmation: -19%). Subsequent time-course and dose-response studies using RTQ-PCR confirmed and extended the original microarray results. At the molecular level, genes altered by phencyclidine are related to diverse biological processes including stress, inflammatory response, growth and development, neural plasticity and signal transduction. Further analysis, aimed at assessing the relevance of our results to schizophrenia, revealed dysregulation of genes related to: (i) thalamocortical projections, (ii) neurotransmission and neuromodulation, (iii) thyroid hormone activity, (iv) oligodendrocyte linage, (v) brain lipid metabolism, (vi) sleep architecture and (viii) the velocardiofacial syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Kaiser
- Neuroscience Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285-0438, USA
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35
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Diwadkar VA, Prasad KM, Keshavan MS. Approaches for adolescents with an affected family member with schizophrenia. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2004; 6:296-302. [PMID: 15260946 PMCID: PMC3408040 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-004-0080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Prospective studies of adolescents at risk for schizophrenia (high-risk studies) can shed light on the possible premorbid precursors of schizophrenia. Recent studies have provided evidence of neurobehavioral, brain structural, physiologic, and neurochemical deficits in adolescent nonpsychotic high-risk relatives that may date back to childhood or earlier. These results are collectively providing a critical window into the inter-relationships between genetic predisposition, neurodevelopment, and premorbid indicators of risk in schizophrenia. Convergent approaches are inherently powerful in mutually informing each other in enriching the knowledge of the risk factors that predict the eventual onset of schizophrenia. Defining such reliable predictors of the onset of schizophrenia may provide us with the tools to better understand the etiology and pathophysiology of the illness, and may pave the way for innovative methods of treatment and possibly prevention. The authors review the relevant literature in this promising field of inquiry and summarize recent findings from high-risk studies.
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Reddy R, Keshavan MS. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy: its utility in examining the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2003; 69:401-5. [PMID: 14623493 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2003.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A novel approach to understanding the pathophysiology of schizophrenia has been the investigation of membrane composition and functional perturbations, referred to as the "Membrane Hypothesis of Schizophrenia." The evidence in support of this hypothesis has been accumulating in findings in patients with schizophrenia of reductions in phospholipids and essential fatty acids various peripheral tissues. Postmortem studies indicate similar reductions in essential fatty acids in the brain. However, the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has provided an opportunity to examine aspects of membrane biochemistry in vivo in the living brain. MRS is a powerful, albeit complex, noninvasive quantitative imaging tool that offers several advantages over other methods of in vivo biochemical investigations. It has been used extensively in investigating brain biochemistry in schizophrenia. Phosphorus MRS (31P MRS) can provide important information about neuronal membranes, such as levels of phosphomonoesters that reflect the building blocks of neuronal membranes and phosphodiesters that reflect breakdown products. 31P MRS can also provide information about bioenergetics. Studies in patients with chronic schizophrenia as well as at first episode prior to treatment show a variety of alterations in neuronal membrane biochemistry, supportive of the membrane hypothesis of schizophrenia. Below, we will briefly review the principles underlying 31P MRS and findings to date. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful, albeit complex, imaging tool that permits investigation of brain biochemistry in vivo. It utilizes the magnetic resonance imaging hardware. It offers several advantages over other methods of in vivo biochemical investigations. MRS is noninvasive, there is no radiation exposure, does not require the use of tracer ligands or contrast media. Because of it is relatively benign, repeated measures are possible. It has been used extensively in investigating brain biochemistry in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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