The amygdala and schizophrenia: a volumetric magnetic resonance imaging study in first-episode, neuroleptic-naive patients.
BACKGROUND
The attempts to evaluate amygdaloid volumes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with schizophrenia have yielded highly divergent results.


METHODS
Volumes of the amygdala were measured in 22 healthy participants and 18 neuroleptic-naive patients with first-episode schizophrenia, while controlling for intracranial area, gender, age, and handedness.


RESULTS
Persons with schizophrenia presented significantly lower amygdaloid volumes bilaterally. No significant correlations were found between the amygdaloid volumes and either the duration of the disease or the symptom severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Amygdaloid volume anomalies are already present in the early phases of schizophrenia.
Joyal
Christian C
CC
Institut Philippe Pinel de Montréal (CCJ), Montreal, Canada
Laakso
Mikko P
MP
Tiihonen
Jari
J
Syvälahti
Erkka
E
Vilkman
Harry
H
Laakso
Aki
A
Alakare
Birgitta
B
Räkköläinen
Viljo
V
Salokangas
Raimo K R
RK
Hietala
Jarmo
J
D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017050:Episode of Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology*