Morphology of the corpus callosum at different stages of schizophrenia: cross-sectional study in first-episode and chronic illness.
BACKGROUND
The shape of the corpus callosum may differ in schizophrenia, although no study has compared first-episode with established illness.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the size and shape of the corpus callosum in a large sample of people with first-episode and established schizophrenia.


METHODS
Callosal size and shape were determined using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging on 76 patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, 86 patients with established schizophrenia and 55 healthy participants.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in total area across groups. Reductions in callosal width were seen in the region of the anterior genu in first-episode disorder (P<0.005). Similar reductions were seen in the chronic schizophrenia group in the anterior genu, but also in the posterior genu and isthmus (P=0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
Reductions in anterior callosal regions connecting frontal cortex are present at the onset of schizophrenia, and in established illness are accompanied by changes in other regions of the callosum connecting cingulate, temporal and parietal cortices.
Walterfang
Mark
M
Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne; North Western Mental Health Program, Sunshine Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne [corrected] mark.walterfang@mh.org.au
Wood
Amanda G
AG
Reutens
David C
DC
Wood
Stephen J
SJ
Chen
Jian
J
Velakoulis
Dennis
D
McGorry
Patrick D
PD
Pantelis
Christos
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents