Advances in neuroimaging have enabled studies of specific neuroanatomical abnormalities with relevance to schizophrenia. This study quantified structural alterations on brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with schizophrenia. MR brain imaging was done on 88 control and 57 schizophrenic subjects and Dicom images were analyzed with ImageJ software. The brain volume was estimated with the planimetric stereological technique. The volume fraction of brain structures was also estimated. The results showed that, the mean volume of right, left, and total hemispheres in controls were 551, 550, and 1101 cm 3 , respectively. The mean volumes of right, left, and total hemispheres in schizophrenics were 513, 512, and 1026 cm 3 , respectively. The schizophrenics' brains were smaller than the controls (p < 0.05). The mean volume of total white matter of controls (516 cm 3 ) was bigger than the schizophrenics' volume (451 cm 3 ), (p < 0.05). The volume fraction of total white matter was also lower in schizophrenics (p < 0.05). Volume fraction of the lateral ventricles was higher in schizophrenics (p < 0.05). According to the findings, the volumes of schizophrenics' brain were smaller than the controls and the volume fractional changes in schizophrenics showed sex dependent differences. We conclude that stereological analysis of MR brain images is useful for quantifying schizophrenia related structural changes.

Grey matter (GM) of the frontal lobe carries out its complex function such as muscle control, speech, decision making, and self-control; while the white matter (WM) of frontal lobe is a major contributor to human brain enlargement and higher structural connectivity. This study was conducted to assess the effect of sex and age on grey and white matter volumes (GMV and WMV) of the frontal lobe and its gyri in healthy young adult Sudanese. The present study included 139 healthy Sudanese subjects (80 males and 59 females). Participant’s ages were ranging between 20-40 years. T1-weighted MR brain images with thickness 1mm were obtained. MR images of the subjects were analyzed using the automatic segmentation software (BrainSuite). GMV and WMV of frontal lobe and its gyri were estimated using the output data of the process of software. Males had greater GMV and WMV of the frontal lobes (251.18±31.80cm3 and 143.48±22.92cm3, respectively) and most of frontal lobe gyri (P<0.05). Change with age in GMV has been reported in the frontal lobes, superior frontal gyrus, pars orbitalis, orbitofrontal, and cingulate gyrus (P<0.05). Change with age in WM volumes has been found in the cingulate, precentral, and paracentral gyri (P<0.05). Sex has prominent effect on GMV and WMV of the frontal lobes and most of frontal lobe gyri, thus sex is a major contributor to GMV and WMV differences between individuals. Age effect GMV and WMV of most frontal lobe gyri, these findings confirm the continuation of maturation of frontal lobe until fourth decade. Assessing effect of sex and age on GM and WM in healthy adult has major importance to distinguish the normal brain from diseased.

Grey and white matter volumes of the cerebral hemisphere are essential for connectivity and cognitive function of the brain, they varies with sex, age, and health status of subjects. The aim of the present study is to measure the grey and white matter volumes and volume fractions of the cerebral hemispheres to examine the sex differences in young healthy Sudanese population. The study includes 139 healthy Sudanese subjects (80 males and 59 females). Participant's ages were ranging between 20-39 years old. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using a Philips 1.5 Tesla scanner. MRI of the subjects were analysed using the BrainSuite automatic segmentation software. Grey and white matter volumes and the volume fractions of cerebral hemispheres were estimated using the output data of the process. The mean volumes (cm 3 ) of the grey matter of right and left cerebral hemispheres of males (343.40 and 332.84) were larger than that of the females (301.21 and 316.81), respectively (p≤0.05). The mean volumes of the white matter of right cerebral hemispheres of males were also larger than the females (192.54 and 166.46), respectively (p≤0.05). The mean volumes of the white matter of left cerebral hemispheres of males and females (186.32 and 177.81) did not show statistically significant differences between the sexes, respectively (p≥0.05). The mean volume fraction (%) of the grey matter of right and left cerebral hemispheres of males (64.11 and 64.18) and females (64.45 and 64.12) did not show statistically significant differences between the sexes, respectively (p≥0.05). Our findings showed that the volume of the white and grey matters were larger in the males than that of the females. These findings are compatible with the fact that of the body and organ sizes are larger in the males. The most important findings are the volume fraction of the grey and white matters are same in both sexes. This means it is an independent value from the body size of the subject.