Basal Ganglia High-Energy Phosphate Metabolism in Neuroleptic-Naive Patients With Schizophrenia: A 31-Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Study

OBJECTIVE: This study used 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) to investigate basal ganglia abnormalities in neuroleptic-naive patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Nineteen schizophrenia patients and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy comparison subjects underwent 31P MRS. RESULTS: The phosphocreatine/total phosphorus and phosphocreatine/total ATP ratios in both basal ganglia were significantly lower in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenia patients showed features of increased metabolism in the basal ganglia consistent with impaired activity of the frontostriatal pathways.