By the use of 18FDG we investigated the group of 18 schizophrenic subjects (11 females and 7 males). Regional brain metabolism has been measured in resting state in selected regions of interest (ROI) of two horizontal sections.
Total PANSS score negatively correlates with decrease of metabolism in insular regions bilaterally, with left nucleus caudatus and left dorsal temporal region. Positive symptoms are associated with decrease of metabolism in globus pallidus, nucleus putamen and temporo-parietal kortex.
Negative symptoms are associated with decrease of prefrontal, insular, temporal and caudate metabolism on the both sides. On the upper slide negative symptoms have been also correlated with low left fronto-temporo-parietal metabolism.
Anxiety during the PET investigation has increased metabolism in some regions. Our study demonstrates dysfunction in brain parts involved in schizophrenia disorder.