Increased prevalence of the cavum septum pellucidum in magnetic resonance scans and post-mortem brains of schizophrenic patients.
A cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) has been regarded as an incidental finding of little clinical importance. However, an association between this developmental anomaly and a diagnosis of psychosis has previously been reported. We determined the prevalence of the CSP in parallel studies of brain scans obtained with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and in the post-mortem brains of schizophrenic patients compared with normal controls. We found a significantly increased prevalence of the CSP in both the MR scans and post-mortem brains of schizophrenic patients compared with controls. In the MR study, 17 of 81 (21%) schizophrenic patients but only 1 of 46 (2%) control subjects had a CSP. In the post-mortem study, 17 of 28 (61%) schizophrenic patients and 12 of 39 (31%) normal controls had a CSP. The increased prevalence of a CSP in schizophrenic patients further indicates that anomalous development of the limbic system is an important aspect of this disorder.
Degreef
G
G
Hillside Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Glen Oaks, NY 11004.
Bogerts
B
B
Falkai
P
P
Greve
B
B
Lantos
G
G
Ashtari
M
M
Lieberman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012688:Septum Pellucidum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*