Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
Published on: August 18, 2020
Structural changes in the hippocampus and amygdala at first episode of psychosis
David R Watson1, Feng Bai, Suzanne L Barrett
1Computational Neuroscience, ISRC, University of Ulster (Magee), Northland Road, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK. dr.watson@ulster.ac.uk
Abstract:
Hippocampus and amygdala changes have been implicated in the pathophysiology and symptomatology of both schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). However relationships between illness course, neuropathological changes and variations in symptomatology remain unclear. This investigation examined the associations between hippocampus and amygdala volumes and symptom dimensions in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients after their first episode of psychosis. Symptom severity was associated with decreases in hippocampus/amygdala complex volume across groups. In keeping with previous work bilateral hippocampus and amygdala volume reductions were also identified in the SCZ patients while in BD patients only evidence of amygdala inflation reached significance. The study concludes that there appear to be important relationships between volume changes in the hippocampus and amygdala and dimensions and severity of symptomatology in psychosis. Structural alterations are apparent in both SCZ and BD after first episode of psychosis but present differently in each illness and are more severe in SCZ.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Role of Hippocampus in Memory
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Role of Amygdala in Memory
One of the...

