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Cortical atrophy in schizophrenia. Prevalence and associated features
A Vita1, E Sacchetti, A Calzeroni
1Institute of Psychiatry, Milan University School of Medicine, Policlinico, Italy.
Schizophrenia Research
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Schizophrenia patients showed moderate to severe cortical atrophy in 33% of cases. This brain atrophy was linked to male sex and enlarged brain ventricles, not other patient factors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder.
- Brain structure abnormalities are often observed in schizophrenia patients.
- Cortical atrophy, a reduction in gray matter, is one such abnormality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of cortical atrophy in schizophrenia patients using computed tomography (CT) scans.
- To identify factors associated with cortical atrophy in this population.
Main Methods:
- 124 patients meeting DSM III criteria for schizophrenia underwent CT scans.
- 45 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls.
- Cortical atrophy was quantified and analyzed for associations with various clinical and demographic variables.
Main Results:
- 33% of schizophrenia patients exhibited moderate to severe cortical atrophy.
- Cortical atrophy was significantly associated with male sex and cerebral ventricular enlargement.
- No significant associations were found with age, illness duration, diagnostic subtype, family history, IQ, employment, or treatment outcome.
Conclusions:
- Cortical atrophy is a notable finding in a substantial portion of schizophrenia patients.
- Male sex and ventricular enlargement are key correlates of cortical atrophy in schizophrenia.
- These findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia.