A Proton Magnetic Spectroscopy Research On Brain Metabolisms In Youths With Suicidal Behavior Of Mental Disorder

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a unique technique that can directly assess the concentration of various biochemical metabolites in the brain. MRS in addition to being noninvasive has a high spatial resolution and requires neither radioactive tracers nor ionizing radiation—a distinct advantage over other imaging modalities. Thus, it is used in the study of molecular pathophysiology of different neuropsychiatric disorders, such as, the major depressive disorder schizophrenia.These metabolites include N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds(Cho),creatine (Cr), et al.Methods (1)The frist study objective to identify the possible alterations of brain functioning in prefrontal white matter and hippocampus in youths with suicide-attempted depression using MRS. MRS was performed on prefrontal white matter and hippocampus in15youths with suicide-attempted depression and15healthy controls. The NAA, Cho and Cr were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were determined.(2)The second study objective to identify the possible alterations of brain functioning in prefrontal white matter in youths with suicide-attempted schizophrenia using MRS. MRS was performed on prefrontal white matter in13youths with suicide-attempted schizophrenia,14youths with non-suicidal schizophrenia, and15healthy controls. The NAA, Cho and Cr were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were determined.Results (1)The ratios of NAA/Cr in the left prefrontal white matter of the youths with suicide-attempted depression were significantly less than that of the healthy controls(P<0.05). The ratios of Cho/Cr in the left hippocampus of the youths with suicide-attempted depression were significantly higher than that of the healthy controls(P<0.05).(2) There were no significant differences in both the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr in youths with schizophrenia and healthy controls.Conclusion (1)There might exist reduced neuronal function in left prefrontal.and abnormal turnover of membrane in left hippocampus in youths with suicide-attempted depression.(2) The metabolites such as NAA, Cho in white matter of frontal lobes were not significantly altered in suicide-attempted schizophrenia.