title: The insula-claustrum region and delusions in schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the relationship between cerebral gray matter (GM) volume and severity of delusions and hallucinations in adults with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  MRI scans in 43 patients with schizophrenia were acquired. Correlations were computed between GM volume and clinician ratings of hallucinations and delusions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis revealed significant inverse correlations between ratings of the severity of delusions and volumes of the left claustrum and right insula. Significant correlations were not observed between cerebral GM volume and ratings of hallucinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The insula/claustrum region may be critical to the experience of delusions and more careful scrutiny of the claustrum in relation to schizophrenia appears warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. ncascel1@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nicola G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Cascella
authors.forename: Gwendolyn J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Gerner
authors.forename: Shaina C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fieldstone
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawa
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schretlen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult