Greater Choline-Containing Compounds and Myo-inositol in Treatment-Resistant Versus Responsive Schizophrenia: A 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Meta-analysis

Smucny et al., 2024 | Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging | Meta Analysis

Citation

Smucny Jason, Carter Cameron S, Maddock Richard J. Greater Choline-Containing Compounds and Myo-inositol in Treatment-Resistant Versus Responsive Schizophrenia: A 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Meta-analysis. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2024-Feb;9(2):137-145. doi:10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.10.008

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The neurobiology of treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is poorly understood, and meta-analytic consensus regarding magnetic resonance spectroscopic profiles of glutamate, choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, and other metabolites in the condition is lacking. METHODS: In this meta-analysis, we examined published findings for N-acetylaspartate, choline-containing compounds (phosphocholine+glycerophosphocholine), myo-inositol, creatine+phosphocreatine, glutamate, and glutamate+glutamine in the anterior cingulate cortex and dorsal striatum in people with TRS versus non-TRS as well as TRS versus healthy control participants (HCs) and TRS versus ultra TRS (i.e., TRS with clozapine resistance). A MEDLINE search revealed 9 articles including 239 people with pooled TRS and ultra TRS, 59 with ultra TRS, 175 with non-TRS, and 153 (HCs) that met meta-analytic criteria. RESULTS: Significant effects included higher anterior cingulate cortex phosphocholine+glycerophosphocholine and myo-inositol in the pooled TRS and ultra TRS group than in both the non-TRS group and HCs as well as higher dorsal striatal phosphocholine+glycerophosphocholine in ultra TRS versus HCs, but no differences in other regional metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: The observed metabolite profile in TRS (higher phosphocholine+glycerophosphocholine and myo-inositol signal) is consistent with the hypothesis that TRS has a neuroinflammatory component, although this meta-analysis is not a critical test of that hypothesis. A similar profile is seen in healthy aging, which is known to involve increased neuroinflammation and glial activation. Because the overall number of datasets was low, however, results should be considered preliminary and highlight the need for additional studies of brain metabolites in TRS and their possible association with inflammatory processes.

Key Findings

Significant effects included higher anterior cingulate cortex phosphocholine+glycerophosphocholine and myo-inositol in the pooled TRS and ultra TRS group than in both the non-TRS group and HCs as well as higher dorsal striatal phosphocholine+glycerophosphocholine in ultra TRS versus HCs, but no differences in other regional metabolites.

Outcomes Measured

• inflammatory markers

Population

MeSH Terms

• Humans
• Schizophrenia
• Choline
• Phosphorylcholine
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
• Glutamic Acid
• Inositol

Evidence Classification

• Level: Meta Analysis
• Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
• Vertical: creatine

Provenance

• PMID: 37925074
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.10.008
• PMCID: PMC11192527
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09