Alteration in creatine phosphate behavior in excited visual cortex of early-stage schizophrenia patients measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Introduction

31P MRS is a unique way of in vivo energy metabolism research. This method allowed revealing schizophrenia-induced disturbances of energy exchange in resting state [1]. We use 31P MRS in presence of visual stimulation that allows neuronal energy-consuming processes studying.

Objective

Revealing of stimulation effects on high-energy phosphates (PCr, ATP) in early-stage schizophrenia.

Aim

Discovery of energy processes contribution in schizophrenia pathogenesis.

Methods

Twelve right-handed 18–26 years old male patients with early-staged schizophrenia (F20, ICD-10) and 20 age-matched healthy right-handed controls. Spectra were acquired on Philips Achieva 3.0 T using Rapid Biomed 31P/1H birdcage coil and 2D ISIS pulse sequence. fMRI was used for accurate 2D slice positioning, spectroscopy voxels containing primary visual cortex (V1) were averaged (see Fig. 1). Two 31P spectra of V1 were obtained: firstly in resting state and then during 6 minutes of continuous stimulation by 6 Hz flashing checkerboard. Spectra were processed in jMRUI.

Results

Excitation reduced PCr in the norm and had no effect on schizophrenia (see Fig. 2). No excitation-induced ATP changes in both groups were revealed.

Conclusion

Alteration in PCr behavior in this study witnesses for deviations in energy-consuming processes in schizophrenia. A new scheme of neuronal response to stimulation in schizophrenia is offered.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Fig. 1 fMRI-guided voxel positioning in visual cortex.

Fig. 2 PCr of visual cortex in the norm (1) and in schizophrenia (2) during continuous stimulation relative to PCr in resting state. * P < 0.05 by Mann-Whitney U-criteria.