Selective deficit of hippocampal N-acetylaspartate in antipsychotic-naive patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Studies using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in schizophrenia have demonstrated abnormality of N-acetylaspartate but are confounded by the effects of phase of illness and medication. There is mounting evidence that antipsychotic medication influences N-acetylaspartate.

Methods: A group of first-episode patients who had received no, or minimal, antipsychotic medication was examined at baseline and after 3 months treatment.