On central extensions of preprojective algebras

We show that the Hilbert polynomial P(t) of the trace space A/[A, A] of the centrally extended preprojective algebra A of an ADE quiver is equal to the Hilbert series of the maximal nilpotent subalgebra of the corresponding simple Lie algebra under the principal gradation. This implies that the Hilbert polynomial of the center of A is t(2h-4p)(1/t), where It is the Coxeter number. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.