# Brain glutamine metabolism in schizophrenia

> **NIH NIH R21** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $203,429

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Schizophrenia is a disabling psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population, and which
places an enormous burden on society. While antipsychotic medications are usually effective at controlling the
positive symptoms of schizophrenia, persistent negative symptoms and deficits in cognition contribute to
significant morbidity and functional impairment.
 There is increasing evidence that multiple factors may be associated with cognitive deficits in patients with
schizophrenia, including both those intrinsic to the brain, behavioral comorbidities, long-term antipsychotic use,
as well as systemic factors. Prior studies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) have indicated that
brain glutamine (Gln) levels are elevated in patients with chronic schizophrenia, and which are negatively
correlated with cognitive performance. The underlying mechanism of Gln elevation is unknown, however; it
may be related to altered Gln metabolism and/or subclinical increases in blood ammonia levels.
 The goal of this pilot study is to probe the relationship between brain Gln and blood ammonia levels, both
in patients with schizophrenia and control subjects. The relationship between these factors and cognitive
function will be evaluated using detailed neuropsychological testing. High-field (7T) MRS will be used, since it
provides more accurate estimation of brain Gln compared to MRS performed at lower field strengths.
 Improved understanding of the relationship between altered Gln and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia may
inform future mechanistic studies using back-translational approaches in animal models, and ultimately guide
novel therapeutic interventions in schizophrenia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10467055
- **Project number:** 5R21MH127285-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** PETER B BARKER
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $203,429
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-10 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10467055

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10467055, Brain glutamine metabolism in schizophrenia (5R21MH127285-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10467055. Licensed CC0.

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