31P-MR spectroscopy in children and adolescents with a familial risk of schizophrenia

Abstract

Based on a previous report [9] on alterations of membrane phosphorus metabolism in asymptomatic family members of schizophrenic patients, the aim of the present study was to extend and improve the evaluation and data processing of 31 P spectroscopic data obtained from a larger study population by including an analysis of the broad spectral component (BC) of membrane phospholipids (PL). Eighteen children and siblings of patients with schizophrenia and a gender-and agematched control group of 18 healthy subjects without familial schizophrenia were investigated with phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 31 P-MRS) by using image selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS) in the dorsolateral prefrontal regions (DLPFR) of the brain. Spectral analysis was performed by using both the full and truncated FID to estimate metabolic peak ratios of different 31 P metabolites and the intensity and linewidth of the broad component. A significantly higher PDE level (p<0.01) and increased linewidth of the PDE components were observed for the high-risk group compared with the control group (p=0.02). No significant differences were observed for PME as well as for other 31 P-metabolites. No differences were observed between the left and right hemispheres for different normalised 31 P-metabolic levels. Decreased intensities (p=0.03) and smaller linewidths (p=0.01) were obtained for the broad component in the high-risk group. Impairments of membrane metabolism that are typical for schizophrenic patients are partially observed in adolescent asymptomatic family members of schizophrenics, including increased levels of low molecular PDE compounds indicating increased membrane degradation processes, no changes for PME, and decreased intensities and linewidths of the BC indicating changes in the composition and fluidity of membrane phospholipids. Despite limitations to completely suppress fast-relaxing components by dismissing initial FID data points, the spectroscopic results indicate additional changes in the membrane metabolism of high-risk subjects beyond changes of synthesis and degradation.

Brain bioenergetics and redox state measured by 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy in unaffected siblings of patients with psychotic disorders

“…Using the same 31 P MRS approach in chronic patients with schizophrenia, we did not previously find a decrease in PCr, suggesting that this abnormality may be present early in illness. Prior studies examining 31 P MRS measures in unaffected relatives, namely children, of patients with schizophrenia (Keshavan et al, 2003; Klemm et al, 2001; Rzanny et al, 2003), have not reported significant alterations in PCr, ATP or Pi; these studies showed abnormalities in phospholipid metabolites, which we did not find. However, 1 H MRS studies in unaffected relatives of patients with schizophrenia have revealed decreases in PCr and Cr in different brain regions, including the striatum (Keshavan et al, 2009) and thalamus (Yoo et al, 2009).…”

Fully adiabatic 31P 2D‐CSI with reduced chemical shift displacement error at 7 T — GOIA‐1D‐ISIS/2D‐CSI

“…For 3D localization of in vivo 31 P‐MRS data, ISIS has been used previously with voxel volumes (15–192 ml) and measurement times (3–38 min) at 1.5 T (32, 33), 3 T (34), and at 7 T (15). Nominal spatial resolutions of 4–24 mL, and total measurement times of 8–45 min, were reported for 3D‐CSI at 1.5 T (35), 3 T (17, 34), 4 T (36), and 7 T (6, 25).…”

A review of neuroimaging studies of young relatives of individuals with schizophrenia: A developmental perspective from schizotaxia to schizophrenia

“…In the German HRS, HR had significantly lower mean bilateral prefrontal ratios of PMEs to PDEs (0.25 vs. 0.31) and higher mean PDE values (37.59% vs. 34.87%) than controls, suggesting greater prefrontal phospholipid breakdown in HR subjects [Klemm et al, ]. In Rzanny et al [], HR subjects showed higher bilateral prefrontal (low molecular) PDE level and increased linewidth of the PDE components than controls, indicating increased membrane degradation processes and changes in the composition and fluidity of membrane phospholipids [Rzanny et al, ].…”