Remission status and cortical thickness in childhood-onset schizophrenia

Few studies have examined prediction of schizophrenia outcome in relation to brain magnetic resonance imaging measures. In this study, remission status at the time of discharge was examined in relation to admission cortical thickness for childhood-onset schizophrenia probands. We hypothesized that total, frontal, temporal, and parietal gray matter thickness would be greater in patients who subsequently remit.

The relation between admission cortical brain thickness on magnetic resonance imaging and remission status at the time of discharge an average of 3 months later was examined for 56 individuals (32 males) ages 6 to 19 diagnosed with childhood-onset schizophrenia. Cortical thickness was measured across the cerebral hemispheres at admission. Discharge remission criteria were adapted from the 2005 Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria.

Patients remitted at discharge (n = 16 [29%]) had thicker regional cortex in left orbitofrontal, left superior, and middle temporal gyri and bilateral postcentral and angular gyri (p < or = .008).

Our results provide neuroanatomic correlates of clinical remission in schizophrenia and evidence that response to treatment may be mediated by these cortical brain regions.