Localized phosphorus 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy in chronic schizophrenic patients and normal controls.

To the Editor.— We are most interested in the article by Pettegrew et al 1 in this issue of theArchives. The authors report significantly reduced levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs) and significantly increased levels of phosphodiesters (PDEs) in first-episode, nevertreated schizophrenic patients compared with normal matched control subjects. These findings could indicate decreased synthesis and/or increased breakdown of membrane phospholipids in schizophrenia. We wish to report some preliminary results of localized phosphorus 31 ( 31 P) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in chronic schizophrenic patients and normal control subjects. Patients and Methods.— Ten schizophrenic patients (nine men, one woman) between ages 33 and 54 years (mean± SD, 38.7±6.0 years) participated in the study. All were outpatients receiving an average chlorpromazine hydrochloride equivalent dose of 660 ± 436 mg. The diagnosis of schizophrenia was confirmed by a psychiatrist (P.W.) using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIII-R . 2 Length of illness was estimated