Neuromorphological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients with good and poor outcome.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed specifically to assess the relationship between brain morphology and outcome in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Fifty-six schizophrenic patients and a matched group of 32 healthy subjects were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scans. Clinical assessment included the Krawiecka-Manchester Scale (K-MS) and the Outcome scale by Strauss and Carpenter.


RESULTS
Along several neuromorphological measures the patients differed from controls only for right and left ventricular volumes. The 'poor outcome' patients had a left and right ventricular enlargement when compared to the 'good outcome' patients and healthy controls. A regression analysis showed that right ventricle volume, left temporal lobe volume and left hippocampal volume entered into the regression equation, accounting for a 27% of the outcome measure.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome does not seem to be predicted by one particular morphological site but involves different brain regions; however, the ventricular enlargement identifies a subgroup of patients with poor outcome.
Rossi
A
A
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
Bustini
M
M
Prosperini
P
P
Marinangeli
M G
MG
Splendiani
A
A
Daneluzzo
E
E
Stratta
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome