Computed tomographic findings in schizophrenia: relation with symptom dimensions and sex differences.
OBJECTIVE
Loss of grey matter, a consistent finding in schizophrenia, is likely to be influenced by symptom heterogeneity and sex. This study was conducted to determine the extent and region of brain atrophy in schizophrenia and its relation to symptom syndromes and to patient sex.


METHODS
Prospective study of consecutive patients.


METHODS
Psychiatric department of a general teaching hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-one consecutive patients (37 men and 24 women) admitted to hospital for acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, as diagnosed according to the DSM third edition, revised.


METHODS
Computed tomographic examination of the head.


METHODS
Diffuse atrophy and atrophy in the frontal and temporal regions and the sylvian fissure were rated using the CT Rating Scale for Schizophrenia. Ratings were contrasted between male and female subjects; relations between atrophy ratings and 3 symptom dimensions of schizophrenia were examined for male and female subjects separately.


RESULTS
Widening of the sylvian fissure was positively related to psychomotor poverty (r = 0.32, p < 0.01). There was a significantly stronger relation between diffuse atrophy and reality distortion in female than in male subjects. There was no sex difference in the atrophy rating in all regions of the brain, and this lack of sex difference was not related to age of onset, length of illness or age at the time of the CT scan.


CONCLUSIONS
The morphological changes in the brain on CT are no greater in men than in women with schizophrenia. Different mechanisms may be involved in producing reality distortion symptoms in men and women.
Malla
A K
AK
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London. mpainter@lhsc.on.ca
Takhar
J
J
Norman
R M
RM
Assis
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed