Abstract
BackgroundLoss of gray matter has been previously found in early-onset schizophrenic patients. However, there are no consistent findings between studies due to different methods used to measure grey matter volume/density and influences of confounding factors.MethodsThe volume of gray matter (GM) was measured in 29 first episode early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) and 34 well-matched healthy controls by using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Psychotic symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The correlations between the GM volume and PANSS scores, age of psychosis onset, duration of psychosis, and chlorpromazine (CPZ) equivalent value were investigated.ResultsRelative to healthy subjects, the patients with first episode EOS showed significantly lower GM volume in the left middle and superior temporal gyrus. The loss of GM volume negatively correlated with PANSS-positive symptoms (p = 0.002), but not with PANSS-negative symptoms, PANSS-general psychopathology, and PANSS-total score. No significant correlation was found between GM volume and age of psychosis onset, duration of psychosis, and CPZ equivalent value.ConclusionPatients with first episode EOS have evidence of reduced GM in the left middle and superior temporal gyrus. Structural abnormalities in the left middle and superior temporal gyrus may contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Highlights
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric illness found in about 1% of the population
Early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) is defined as the first-episode of schizophrenia occurring when the subject is younger than 18 years of age
A significant decrease in gray matter (GM) volume was observed in left middle and superior temporal gyrus of schizophrenic patients compared to healthy controls
Summary
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric illness found in about 1% of the population. This chronic disorder is characterized by pathological manifestations such as hallucinations, disorganized thinking, loss of goal-directed behaviors, social withdrawal, and cognitive deficits [1]. Several studies showed an inverse relationship between duration of untreated psychosis and gray matter loss in patients with schizophrenia [6,7]. A few studies that looked at volumetric measurements have found no association between duration of untreated psychosis and gray matter changes in schizophrenia [8,9]. Antipsychotic treatment, duration of psychosis, and age of patients are usually considered to be confounders when researching the structure and function of the brain in schizophrenia. There are no consistent findings between studies due to different methods used to measure grey matter volume/density and influences of confounding factors
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