Computertomographic findings of structural brain anomalies in schizophrenic patients in support of the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of the disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to make a comparative CT examination of schizophrenic patients and find lifetime criteria for recognition of brain changes in schizophrenia.


METHODS
Twenty-two schizophrenic inpatients (mean age 32.86 +/- 2.65 yrs) satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were examined. The control group comprised 27 clinically healthy subjects (16 men, 11 women, mean age 46.44 +/- 2.32 yrs) all of Bulgarian ancestry. All subjects underwent CT examination without venous enhancement at an examination angle of + 15 degrees-20 degrees in relation to the orbitomeatal line. Cortical atrophy was assessed according to criteria determining the external and internal liquor spaces (after Meese and Groome).


RESULTS
There is a consistent low-grade enlargement of the brain ventricles. The variables have increased values (decreased for CMI) in the schizophrenic patients compared with the controls. The patients show moderately increased width of the lateral sulcus and brain convexity sulci.


CONCLUSIONS
The brain tissue loss and enlarged extracerebral space suggest that the observed evidence of cortical loss in schizophrenic patients reflects a pathological process operating before completion of the brain growth.
Georgieva
Vessela
V
Department of Radiology, Medical University Plovdiv 15A Vassil Aprilov St., 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Sivkov
Stefan T
ST
Akabaliev
Valentin H
VH
Koeva
Yvetta A
YA
Angelova
Roumiana Y
RY
Deneva
Tania I
TI
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008959:Models, Neurological; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed