Metabolic subtypes in patients with schizophrenia

Patterns of regional cerebral glucose metabolism were examined in a group of patients with schizophrenia (n = 17) and normal controls (n = 16) to determine if different metabolic profiles were present. For the patients with schizophrenia, two profiles were found. The first was characterized by a normal "shape" but overall reductions in cerebral metabolism. The second had focal reductions in frontal metabolism. This latter group also had significantly larger frontal horns than the other schizophrenic group. The two groups with schizophrenia did not differ on other attributes or clinical variables. These results are discussed in terms of our understanding of heterogeneity in schizophrenia and etiology.