title: White-matter hyperintensities in first-episode psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  White-matter hyperintensities have been associated with both schizophrenia and mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, but results are inconsistent across studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether white-matter hyperintensities are a vulnerability marker for psychosis or are specifically associated with bipolar disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired in 129 individuals with first-episode psychosis (either affective or non-affective psychoses) and 102 controls who were randomly selected from the same geographical areas. Visual white-matter hyperintensity ratings were used for group and subgroup comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant between-group differences in white-matter hyperintensity frequency or severity scores. No significant correlations were found between white-matter hyperintensity scores and duration of illness, duration of untreated psychosis, or severity of psychotic, manic or depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  White-matter hyperintensities are not associated with vulnerability to psychosis in general, or specifically with affective psychoses. Further, first-episode psychosis investigations using more quantitative methods are warranted to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos s/n, São Paulo, Brazil. marcus_zanetti@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Marcus V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Maristela S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Schaufelberger
authors.forename: Cláudio C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Paulo R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scazufca
authors.forename: Philip K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Geraldo F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Busatto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers