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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
Magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with schizophrenia
Waseem Akhtar1, Haider A Naqvi, Sajjad Hussain
1Department of Radiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. waseem.mirza@aku.edu
Objective:
To determine structural abnormalities in the brain of patients with schizophrenia by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Study Design:
Comparative study.
Place And Duration Of Study:
The Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2008.
Methodology:
Thirty-three cases of schizophrenia (n=33) and thirty-three age-matched controls, (n=33) were enrolled for this study. Screening Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain was done in order to see structural changes in brain matter. Findings were compared among groups using chi-square and Fisher's exact test with significance at p < 0.05.
Results:
Among the total of 66 (n=66) MRI films studied for brain abnormalities, brain atrophy, presence of septum pellucidum and enlarged Virchow-Robins spaces were significantly associated with schizophrenia (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between cases and controls for ventricular dilatation (p=0.5). Sinusitis was mostly associated with controls and well correlated with their symptoms (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Brain atrophy was the most commonly seen brain change in the studied sample of patients with schizophrenia. MRI brain can be used to identify structural abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia.
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