Cortical and central atrophy in chronic schizophrenia. A controlled study

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Psychiatry
• Radiology

Background:

• Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder with complex neurobiological underpinnings.
• Previous research suggests structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenia patients.
• Cortical and central brain structures are key areas of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in brain structure between chronic schizophrenics and healthy controls.
• To assess for cortical atrophy and central atrophy, including ventricular size, in chronic schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

• Computed Tomography (CT) brain scans were performed on 43 chronic schizophrenics (duration >5 years, age <60) and 39 matched healthy controls.
• Measurements included cortical atrophy indicators (interhemispheric fissure, Sylvian fissure, sulcal width) and central atrophy indicators (third ventricle width, cella media index for lateral ventricles).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in cortical atrophy were observed between schizophrenic patients and controls.
• Highly significant differences were found in central atrophy, with enlarged ventricles common in schizophrenics.
• Specifically, 4.7% showed extreme, 48.8% moderate, and 37.2% slight enlargement of the third ventricle.

Conclusions:

• Chronic schizophrenia is associated with significant central brain atrophy, particularly ventricular enlargement.
• Cortical atrophy is not a distinguishing feature in this chronic schizophrenic cohort.
• Brain imaging reveals distinct patterns of structural changes in long-term schizophrenia.