Spectral editing in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Determination of GABA level in the brains of humans with ultra-high risk for schizophrenia

摘要

The intravital level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was measured for the first time and the imbalance of the key excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain frontal lobes of patients with ultra-high risk for schizophrenia was studied. The proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 MRS) with the MEGA-PRESS pulse sequence for separating the super-imposed signals was used. The area of interest was the anterior cingulate cortex with account for lateralization in the right and left brain hemispheres. A statistically significant decrease in the GABA concentration (by 25%) and in the [GABA]/[GLX] ratio (GLX is glutamate + glutamine) (by 20%) were found for the patients in the left brain hemisphere, this ratio in the right brain hemisphere remaining at the normal level.