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Abstract #0838

GABA and glutamate in schizophrenia: a 7T 1H-MRS study

Anouk Marsman 1 , Rene C.W. Mandl 1 , Dennis W.J. Klomp 2 , Marc M. Bohlken 1 , Vincent O. Boer 2 , Anna Andreychenko 3 , Wiepke Cahn 1 , Rene S. Kahn 1 , Peter R. Luijten 2 , and Hilleke E. Hulshoff Pol 1

1 Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2 Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3 Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

Schizophrenia is characterized by a loss of brain tissue, which may represent an ongoing pathophysiological process. The GABAergic and glutamatergic systems may be involved. Performing 1H-MRS at an ultra-high magnetic field strength of 7T results in increased sensitivity and spectral resolution, which is particularly important when measuring glutamate and GABA. We conducted a 7T 1H-MRS study to examine differences in GABA and glutamate levels between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Prefrontal GABA/Cr ratios in patients were significantly lower as compared to controls. Moreover, prefrontal GABA/Cr ratios in patients were strongly associated with their level of general cognitive functioning.

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