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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
High-resolution In Vivo Manual Segmentation Protocol for Human Hippocampal Subfields Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: November 10, 2015
A morphometric MRI study of the hippocampus in first-episode, neuroleptic-naïve schizophrenia
M P Laakso1, J Tiihonen, E Syvälahti
1Department of Neurology, Bldg. 5, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, Kuopio, Finland. mikko.laakso@uku.fi
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have frequently, although not unambiguously, reported hippocampal volume deficit in schizophrenia. Data on the hippocampal volumes in first-episode schizophrenia, however, are sparse. In addition, a recent topographic MRI study proposed a regionally specific volume loss in the hippocampus of chronic schizophrenics, but to date no reports have replicated this finding. In this study two-dimensional MRI-based topographic brain mapping was used to study the possibility of regional changes in the hippocampus of 22 controls and 18 patients with first-episode, neuroleptic-naïve schizophrenia. Compared to controls, there were no significant differences between hippocampal volumes, regional volumes, or length of the hippocampus in the patients with schizophrenia. These data are at odds with the previous reports on hippocampal volume loss in first-episode schizophrenia, and with the hypothesis of regionally specific hippocampal volume deficit in schizophrenia.
Insights
This study found no significant hippocampal volume differences in first-episode schizophrenia patients compared to controls. These findings challenge previous reports of hippocampal volume loss in early schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have inconsistently suggested hippocampal volume deficits in schizophrenia.
- Existing data on hippocampal volumes in first-episode schizophrenia are limited.
- Previous research proposed regionally specific hippocampal volume loss in chronic schizophrenia, but replication is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential regional hippocampal volume changes in first-episode, neuroleptic-naïve schizophrenia using MRI.
- To examine differences in overall hippocampal volume, regional volumes, and hippocampal length between patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Employed two-dimensional MRI-based topographic brain mapping.
- Analyzed data from 22 healthy controls and 18 patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia.
- Compared hippocampal volumes, regional volumes, and length between the two groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in overall hippocampal volume between patients and controls.
- No significant differences were found in regional hippocampal volumes or hippocampal length.
- These results contrast with previous reports suggesting hippocampal volume loss in early schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- The study did not find evidence of hippocampal volume deficit in first-episode, neuroleptic-naïve schizophrenia.
- Findings challenge the hypothesis of regionally specific hippocampal volume reduction in schizophrenia.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of hippocampal morphology in the early stages of schizophrenia.
