Schizophrenia and dementia. Morphological and spectroscopic findings. Baseline data

Abstract

Introduction

Spectroscopy is a diagnostic method using MRI, to analysis tissue in vivo noninvasively. There are several studies with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia and Alzheimer's type dementia, in their different developmental stage. Sometimes spectroscopy may allow brain metabolic changes to be observed before the onset of alterations in brain parenchyma. We do not know any documented case of spectroscopy performed on a psychiatry-targeted manner on our hospital. It is a noninvasive technique without added cost to the MRI and is available in our hospital. It seems interesting for us to combine two specialties like radiology and psychiatry in the field of a neuroimaging Project.

Objectives and aims

Our goal is try to establish a radiological anatomical correlate to brain molecular levels. It's a transverse and longitudinal prospective observational study in which subjects will be submitted to various psychiatric assessments by conducting a radiological examination that is the MRI and MRS to determine the regional metabolic pattern in the subjects explored.

Methods

Informed consent to all patients, aged more than 18 years, selected according inclusion/exclusion criteria that meet ethical principles. Patients are selected within the public health network of Sacyl Health Care System, Zamora Hospital, Spain.

Expected results and conclusions

Schizophrenia increased creatinine, choline and glutamate. NAA decrease in untreated patients and increased the same in patients with treatment Alzheimer: < increased NAA (N-acetyl aspartate) and increased MI (myo-inositol), their relationship has a high negative predictive value, ie if it is negative (the peaks are not increased) is discarded Alzheimer's disease. Early Dx/screening? Treatment?

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.