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Limbic Dysfunction in Schizophrenia and Mania

A Study Using 18F-Labelled Fluorodeoxyglucose and Positron Emission Tomography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Adil H. Al-Mousawi*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine
Noel Evans
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
Klaus P. Ebmeier
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh
Dirk Roeda
Affiliation:
Department of Bio-Medical Physics, University of Aberdeen
Fiona Chaloner
Affiliation:
Department of Bio-Medical Physics, University of Aberdeen
George W. Ashcroft
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen
*
Dr A. H. Al-Mousawi, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Gwenfro Buildings, Wrexham Technology Park, Wrexham, North Wales LL13 7YP

Abstract

Background

Diagnostic classes (derived from catego) can be correlated with regional brain metabolism in patients with major psychiatric disorders.

Method

Seventeen patients with schizophrenia, 15 with mania, 10 with depression and 10 healthy volunteers were examined with positron emission tomography (PET) and 18F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose, as a marker for glucose metabolism. The number of possible comparisons of regions of interest was reduced by principal-components analysis, and differences in factor scores were determined between diagnostic groups.

Results

Four independent factors, representing distributed brain systems, emerged: an anterior–posterior (1), a left–right temporal (2), a temporofrontal (3), and a mediofrontal (4) system, of which (1), (2) and (3) were abnormal in schizophrenia, (1) and (2) in mania, and (1) in depression.

Conclusions

Abnormal patterns of metabolism could be detected, in decreasing order, in schizophrenia, mania and depression. Some of these abnormalities are likely to be due to medication, but others will be associated with structural or functional abnormalities of the frontolimbic system in the diagnostic groups.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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