Computed tomographic density changes in schizophrenic and manic Nigerian subjects

There is paucity of computed tomography (CT) studies from developing countries, where schizophrenia is said to have more favourable outcome and present predominantly with positive symptoms. We highlight the densitometric analysis of frontal and parietal areas, assessed by tracing of regions of interest on the slice that passes through the foramen of Monro and the pineal gland. The relationships of the density values with clinical and CT measures were investigated. Fifty schizophrenics, 14 manic and 41 normal subjects were compared. The schizophrenics were assessed with Andreasen's scale for negative symptoms, and outcome was based on the social and clinical condition in the past year. There were no significant differences in mean ages and brain slice area across the groups. In analysis of variance, schizophrenics and manics had significantly higher frontal density than normals. Schizophrenics had significantly higher parietal density than manics and normals (p < 0.001). Parietal density was significantly higher than frontal density, for schizophrenics and normals (p < 0.001). For the patients, density values were not significantly correlated with linear CT measures of atrophy (e.g. ventricle: brain area ratio) and duration of illness. Density values were not significantly associated with outcome, presence of negative symptoms, and visual ratings of cortical sulci and central atrophy. Our findings indicate that schizophrenia in developing countries is also associated with non-specific brain abnormalities.