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Volume changes in gray matter in patients with schizophrenia
Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol1, Hugo G Schnack, Madelief G B C Bertens
1Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.e.hulshoff@psych.azu.nl
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|February 2, 2002
Summary
Gray matter volume in the brain decreases more rapidly with age in individuals with schizophrenia, suggesting progressive cerebral gray matter loss. This highlights key brain changes in schizophrenia progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with progressive functional decline.
- Structural brain abnormalities, especially reduced gray matter volume, are implicated in schizophrenia.
- It remains unclear if these brain abnormalities worsen over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between age and brain structure in schizophrenia patients.
- To determine if brain abnormalities, specifically gray matter volume, change progressively with age in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 159 schizophrenia patients and 158 healthy controls (ages 16-70).
- Linear regression analysis to assess the association between age and brain volumes (total brain, gray/white matter, ventricles).
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients showed smaller total brain, gray matter, and prefrontal gray/white matter volumes.
- Patients had larger lateral and third ventricles and peripheral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes.
- A significant group-by-age interaction indicated a steeper decline in gray matter volume with age in patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Reduced gray matter volume contributes to the smaller brain size observed in schizophrenia.
- The accelerated gray matter volume loss in older schizophrenia patients suggests a progressive neurodegenerative process.