A comprehensive study of chronic schizophrenic patients: I. Quantitative computed tomography: cerebral density, ventricle and sulcal measures

Abstract

Based on recent computed tomography (CT) studies that have suggested the presence of distinct structural abnormalities in the brains of chronic schizophrenics, the authors evaluated 23 chronic schizophrenics and 23 controls by CT, using linear and area lateral ventricular measures, sulcal and Sylvian fissure widths and cerebral density measures. Technical problems inherent in CT studies and their impact on the use of data generated by such studies are discussed. Although there were few differences between groups, there emerged a distinct subgroup of schizophrenic patients with mild lateral ventricle enlargement associated with increased cortical density. The possible etiopathology for this atypical combination is discussed, including the striking parallels with a recent neuropathological study's findings.

Reduction of cortical volume in schizophrenia on magnetic resonance imaging

“…Indirect support for a significant reduction in cortical and hence cerebral volume accrues from CT studies reporting sulcal enlargement, and in particular Sylvian fissure widening, in schizophrenia (Reider et al 1979;Weinberger et al 1979;Takahashi et al 1981;Nasrallah et al 1982;Dewan et al 1986;Pfefferbaum et al 1988;Rossi et al 1988;Shelton et al 1988;Stahl et al 1988;Vita et al 1988;Scottish Schizophrenia Research Group, 1989;Serban et al 1990). Although volumetric measurements have rarely been used, the idea that a reduction in cortical or cerebral volume underlies this observation is implicit in such studies (DeLisi & Goldin, 1987;Johnstone et al 1989;Pearlson et al 1989).…”

A comprehensive study of chronic schizophrenic patients: II: Biological, neuropsychological, and clinical correlates of CT abnormality

“…These patients did not have a history of head trauma, drug or alcohol abuse, chronic institutionalization, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) but had been treated with neuroleptics for from 2 to 19 years. Further characteristics of this group are in Table 1 and have been described earlier (65).…”

“…The weight of evidence generated by numerous computed tomography (CT) studies appears to favor the presence of neuroanatomic abnormalities in the brains of some schizophrenic patients ( 5 , 6, 18, 22, 23) although these may not be specific to this diagnosis (62-64). Recently we found a subgroup of chronic schizophrenic patients which had mild enlargement of the lateral ventricles associated with a significantly increased cerebral CT density (65). As with earlier reports of lateral ventricular enlargement, the meaning and significance of such findings as well as its relationship to traditional notions of organic deficits remain unclear (2, 4).…”