title: The amygdala and schizophrenia: a volumetric magnetic resonance imaging study in first-episode, neuroleptic-naive patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institut Philippe Pinel de Montréal (CCJ), Montreal, Canada
authors.forename: Christian C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Joyal
authors.forename: Mikko P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiihonen
authors.forename: Erkka
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Syvälahti
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vilkman
authors.forename: Aki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alakare
authors.forename: Viljo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Räkköläinen
authors.forename: Raimo K R
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Salokangas
authors.forename: Jarmo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hietala
mesh_terms: 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*