A growing body of evidence suggests that an “immuno-oxidative” pathway including redox dysregulation associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cell-mediated immune response may contribute to disruptions in brain activity in schizophrenia (SZ). The aim of this study is to assess possible redox imbalance in SZ patients by using a novel in vivo 31P-MRS technique to measure NAD+ and NADH. Our results revealed a ~40% decrease of NAD+/NADH ratio compared to healthy individuals of similar age, indicating higher levels of oxidative stress in patients with schizophrenia. This work may lead to new strategies to protect the brain from oxidative stress and improve brain function in schizophrenia or the other brain disorders.
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