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Ventricle size and P300 in schizophrenia
G Juckel1, F M Reischies, A Müller-Schubert
1Department of Psychiatry, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Ventricular enlargement and reduced P3 amplitudes in schizophrenia may not stem from the same cause. This study found no link, suggesting separate brain abnormalities in schizophrenic patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Ventricular enlargement and reduced P3 amplitudes are common in schizophrenia.
- These findings suggest a shared pathophysiological basis in the disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ventricular size and auditory P3 amplitude in stabilized schizophrenic patients.
- To determine if ventricular enlargement and reduced P3 amplitudes reflect a common or distinct pathophysiological process in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to measure lateral and third ventricle size in 14 stabilized schizophrenic outpatients.
- Auditory event-related P3 amplitudes were recorded and analyzed in relation to ventricular measurements.
Main Results:
- No significant relationship was found between the size of the lateral or third ventricles and the auditory P3 amplitude.
- This negative finding challenges the hypothesis of a common underlying process for both measures.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular enlargement and reduced P3 amplitudes in schizophrenia likely represent distinct pathophysiological processes.
- P3 amplitude deficits may be more closely associated with temporal lobe abnormalities in schizophrenic patients.