MRI IN TARDIVE-DYSKINESIA - SHORTENED LEFT CAUDATE-T2

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed on 18 male schizophrenic patients, 14 with a cumulative exposure to neuroleptics of more than 1 year and 4 with less than 3 months of exposure. Calculated T2 relaxation time values were obtained for the basal ganglia. Patients with tardive dyskinesia (n = 9) had significantly shortened left caudate T2 relaxation times when compared to patients without tardive dyskinesia (n = 5). The group of four patients with fewer than 3 months' exposure to neuroleptics demonstrated a significantly greater variability of their left caudate T2 values. T2 relaxation time shortening may be related to iron levels in the basal ganglia and may be of predictive value in evaluating risk of tardive dyskinesia.