Morphometry of the superior temporal plane in schizophrenia: relationship to clinical correlates

A magnetic-resonance-imaging-based method of cortical parcellation was used to evaluate the morphology of the superior temporal plane and its subregions (Heschl's gyrus [HG], planum temporale [PT], and planum polare [PP]) in a group of 30 patients with schizophrenia versus a matched group of healthy subjects. Right HG volume was significantly reduced in patients compared with control subjects. Each subregion showed a unique set of structure/function relationships: reduced volumes of the HG were associated with greater duration of illness; reduced volumes of the PT were associated with positive symptoms; and in most contrast, elevated volumes of the PP were associated with cumulative neuroleptic exposure.