Correlation between abnormal N-acetyl-aspartate levels in posterior cingulate cortex and persistent auditory verbal hallucinations in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between persistent auditory verbal hallucinations (pAVHs) and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) levels in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). 117 schizophrenia (SCZ) pa-tients (61 pAVHs and 56 non-AVHs) and 66 healthy controls were included. The P3 item of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Auditory Hallucinations subscale of the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale were used to assess the severity of pAVHs. NAA levels were significantly lower in the AVHs group, and were negatively correlated with pAVHs. Therefore, increasing the NAA levels in PCC may be helpful in treating pAVHs.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between persistent auditory verbal hallucinations (pAVHs) and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) levels in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). The study included 117 schizophrenia patients (61 pAVHs and 56 non-AVHs) and 66 healthy controls. Severity of pAVHs was assessed using the P3 item of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Auditory Hallucinations subscale of the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale. Results showed that NAA levels were significantly lower in the AVHs group and were negatively correlated with pAVHs. Therefore, increasing NAA levels in PCC may be helpful in treating pAVHs.