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Abstract #4133

Reduced gamma-amino butyric acid and elevated Glu/Gln complex in the anterior cingulate cortex of medicated schizophrenic patients

Pui Wai Chiu1, Queenie Chan2, Sai-yu Lui3, Karen Shee Yueng Hung3, Raja Rizal Azman Raja Aman4, Raymond Chor Kiu Chan5, Pak Chung Sham6, Eric Fuk Chi Cheung3, Richard A Edden7, and Henry Ka Fung Mak1

1Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2Philips Healthcare, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 3Institute of Mental Health, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 4Biomedical Imaging, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, People's Republic of, 6Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 7Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been reported to exhibit functional and morphological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy controls(HC). In this pilot study, absolute concentrations of GABA([GABA]abs) and Glx([Glx]abs) were measured in the ACC of 9 schizophrenic patients and 14 HC at 3.0T. Significant lower [GABA]abs level in ACC of schizophrenic patients might provide evidence of abnormalities in GABAergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Significant positive correlation between [Glx]abs and positive symptoms subscale might indicate Glx level is specific for positive symptoms in ACC.

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