RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine the volumetric and metabolic correlates of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients in comparison with healthy controls. METHOD: Twelve antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients and 13 healthy controls underwent (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance imaging volume of caudate nuclei was measured using scion image software. RESULTS: Patients had significantly smaller caudate volume than healthy controls. Phosphocreatine (PCr)/total phosphorous and PCr/total adenosine tri-phosphate ratios of both caudate nuclei were significantly lower in patients than controls. Significant negative correlation was found between the left caudate volume and left PCr/total phosphorus ratio in the patients. Age at onset of psychosis had i) significant negative correlation with right and left caudate volumes and ii) significant positive correlation with left PCr/total phosphorus ratio. CONCLUSION: The metabolic and volumetric abnormalities of caudate nucleus in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients support neurodevelopmental etiopathogenesis.
