title: Fractal dimension of cerebral cortical surface in schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
abstract: Schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are assumed to be neurodevelopmental disorders. To examine the cortical patterns in the two disorders, three-dimensional fractal dimension (FD) of skeletonized cerebral cortical surface was estimated from magnetic resonance (MR) images of 50 patients with schizophrenia, 45 patients with OCD and 26 healthy normal controls. The schizophrenic group had a significantly smaller mean FD than OCD group, and the OCD group than normal controls. The FD revealed a significant interaction effect of group-by-hemisphere, and the FD asymmetry index distinguished the schizophrenic group from normal controls. In logistic regression models, the FD and CSF volume correctly classified 95.6% of the schizophrenics from the controls and 88.0% of the patients with OCD from the controls. In the control and schizophrenic groups, the FD was not associated with any of tissue volume measures. In the OCD group, however, the FD was significantly correlated with gray matter tissue volume and intracranial volume (ICV). The results of the present study suggest that three-dimensional FD of cortical surface may be a sensitive indicator for investigation of the structural brain abnormalities in mental disorders, especially those developmentally disturbed. Further studies to explore regional FD changes in mental disorders and clinical implications of the FD including diagnostic value should be performed in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Hyon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Uicheul
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Kyung Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yong Wook
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jong-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: In Young
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyoo Seob
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Sun I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology*