A three-dimensional morphometric study of craniofacial shape in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Subtle dysmorphogenesis of the craniofacial region constitutes important corroborating evidence of the neurodevelopmental origins of schizophrenia. Advances in facial visualization now allow for three-dimensional anthropometric evaluations of potentially greater discriminatory power in examining the complex geometric relationships of facial topography.


METHODS
Sixty-five anthropometrically derived landmarks were identified from three-dimensional facial images collected from 14 patients with schizophrenia and 11 comparison subjects, imaged with a high-resolution, portable laser scanner.


RESULTS
Using the Procrustes morphometric approach for shape analysis, the difference in mean shapes was highly significant, with patients exhibiting superoinferior elongation of the face.


CONCLUSIONS
The topography of craniofacial anomalies in schizophrenia is not random and points to midline deformation.
Buckley
Peter F
PF
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, 1515 Pope Ave., Augusta, GA 30912-3800, USA. pbuckley@mail.mcg.edu
Dean
David
D
Bookstein
Fred L
FL
Han
Seungho
S
Yerukhimovich
Michael
M
Min
Kyoung-June
KJ
Singer
Beth
B
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006696:Holography; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012737:Sex Factors