Structural brain imaging and the prevention of schizophrenia: can we identify neuroanatomical markers for young people at risk for the development of schizophrenia?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the potential role of measures derived from structural brain imaging as phenotypic markers for the development of schizophrenia.


METHODS
Literature review of results of MRI-based assessments of brain structure in patients with schizophrenia, their first-degree relatives and factors that affect interpretation of such results.


RESULTS
Reliable differences in brain structure can be detected in patients with schizophrenia, including those experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Further research is required to determine whether these differences are progressive, how they relate to potential confounding factors such as comorbid substance abuse and the functional consequences of the relatively subtle changes observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is needed before structural brain change can be considered as a phenotypic marker for those at risk of developing schizophrenia. Large-scale collaborative research in clinical and normal volunteer groups using standardised assessment protocols would enable the early identification of those findings with predictive power in at-risk populations.
Ward
P B
PB
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. p.ward@unsw.edu.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005819:Genetic Markers