Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a non-invasive functional neurological measurement. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA) signal is thought to represent neurons. NAA is located almost exclusively in neurons and its reduction has been considered not only as a marker for neuronal loss but also of the level of neuronal functioning. Brain levels of GABA and NAA were significantly changed in left basal ganglia. These results indicate that dysfunctions of GABAergic neurons exist in early stage of first episode schizophrenia. On the other hand, treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs did not alter brain GABA levels. We reviewed recent reports using MRI with schizophrenia patients,and we compared those with our previous studies.
