Measuring the corpus callosum in schizophrenia: a technique with neuroanatomical and cytoarchtectural basis.
BACKGROUND
Corpus Callosum (CC) abnormalities have been described in schizophrenia. Review of CC measurement methods in schizophrenia reveals inconsistency and lack of neuroanatomical basis.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of the study are to describe a new CC measurement method with valid a neuroanatomical and cytoarchitectural basis and to demonstrate inter-rater reliability for the same.


METHODS
The study was performed in the National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. Ours is a cross-sectional study in which both the first author and senior neuroradiologist were blind to clinical details.


METHODS
We report a reliable, semi-automated CC measuring technique with a neuroanatomical and cytoarchitectural basis tested in a group of 16 never-treated schizophrenia patients using 1-mm thick, objectively defined midsagittal MRI section. Measurement on coded slices using scion image software ensured elimination of rater bias.


METHODS
The statistical analysis used for assessing inter-rater reliability is intraclass correlation coefficient analysis.


RESULTS
The intraclass correlation coefficients for the CC measurements were as follows: CC Area = 0.93; Anterior CC area = 0.84; Area of body of the CC = 0.83; Area of CC isthmus = 0.65; Area of CC splenium = 0.88; maximum antero-posterior distance of CC = 0.96.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurements showed good inter-rater reliability. The methodology demonstrated in our study is simple, relevant, reliable and can be used for future schizophrenia research.
Venkatasubramanian
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560-029, India.
Jayakumar
P N
PN
Gangadhar
B N
BN
Janakiramaiah
N
N
Subbakrishna
D K
DK
Keshavan
M S
MS
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*