Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the frontal lobe in schizophrenics: a critical review of the methodology

Authors

  • Rafael Faria Sanches University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Medical Psychology
  • José Alexandre de Souza Crippa University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Medical Psychology
  • Jaime Eduardo Cecílio Hallak University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Medical Psychology
  • David Araújo University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Medical Psychology
  • Antonio Waldo Zuardi University of São Paulo; Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; Departments of Neuropsychiatry and Medical Psychology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000300010

Keywords:

Spectroscopy, Proton, Frontal, Schizophrenia, Review

Abstract

Schizophrenic patients undergoing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy show alterations in N-acetyl aspartate levels in several brain regions, indicating neuronal dysfunction. The present review focuses on the main proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies in the frontal lobe of schizophrenics. A MEDLINE search, from 1991 to March 2004, was carried out using the key-words spectroscopy and schizophrenia and proton and frontal. In addition, articles cited in the reference list of the studies obtained through MEDLINE were included. As a result, 27 articles were selected. The results were inconsistent, 19 papers reporting changes in the N-acetyl aspartate levels, while 8 reported no change. Methodological analysis led to the conclusion that the discrepancy may be due the following factors: (i) number of participants; (ii) variation in the clinical and demographic characteristics of the groups; (iii) little standardization of the acquisition parameters of spectroscopy. Overall, studies that fulfill strict methodological criteria show N-acetyl aspartate decrease in the frontal lobe of male schizophrenics.

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Published

2004-01-01

Issue

Section

Reviews

How to Cite

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the frontal lobe in schizophrenics: a critical review of the methodology . (2004). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 59(3), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000300010