title: Structural abnormalities in gyri of the prefrontal cortex in individuals with schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relatives of individuals with schizophrenia exhibit deficits of overall frontal lobe volume, consistent with a genetic contribution to these deficits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the structure of gyral-defined subregions of prefrontal cortex in individuals with schizophrenia and their siblings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Grey matter volume, cortical thickness, and surface area of the superior, middle and inferior frontal gyri were measured in participants with schizophrenia and their unaffected (non-psychotic) siblings (n = 26 pairs), and controls and their siblings (n = 40 pairs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Grey matter volume was reduced in the middle and inferior frontal gyri of individuals with schizophrenia, relative to controls. However, only inferior frontal gyrus volume was also reduced in the unaffected siblings of those with schizophrenia, yielding a volume intermediate between their affected siblings and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The structure of subregions of the prefrontal cortex may be differentially influenced by genetic factors in schizophrenia, with inferior frontal gyrus volume being most related to familial risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (Box 8134), Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. mharms@conte.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campanella
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aldridge
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Moffitt
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuelper
authors.forename: J Tilak
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ratnanather
authors.forename: Michael I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Deanna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Barch
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Csernansky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult