Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a pilot investigation comparing treatment responders and non-responders.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging was performed to compare brain metabolism in patients with obsessive-compulsive OCD. Evaluation was done on responders and non-responders to pharmacotherapy and on healthy controls. The results showed significantly lower NAA/Cr ratios in the right basal ganglia in non-responders than in responders or in controls and higher Cho/Cr ratios in the right thalamus in non-responders than responders. Abnormal neuronal metabolism in the right basal ganglia and right thalamus may be indicating lack of response to treatment to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.