title: Lack of progression of brain abnormalities in first-episode psychosis: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some neuroimaging studies have supported the hypothesis of progressive brain changes after a first episode of psychosis. We aimed to determine whether (i) first-episode psychosis patients would exhibit more pronounced brain volumetric changes than controls over time and (ii) illness course/treatment would relate to those changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal regional grey matter volume and ventricle:brain ratio differences between 39 patients with first-episode psychosis (including schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder) and 52 non-psychotic controls enrolled in a population-based case-control study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While there was no longitudinal difference in ventricle:brain ratios between first-episode psychosis subjects and controls, patients exhibited grey matter volume changes, indicating a reversible course in the superior temporal cortex and hippocampus compared with controls. A remitting course was related to reversal of baseline temporal grey matter deficits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings do not support the hypothesis of brain changes indicating a progressive course in the initial phase of psychosis. Rather, some brain volume abnormalities may be reversible, possibly associated with a better illness course.
authors.affiliation: Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil. maristela-ss@usp.br
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Schaufelberger
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lappin
authors.forename: F L S
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.forename: P G P
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scazufca
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Busatto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors