Abstract
Heart rate activity and computed tomographic measures of structural brain abnormalities were evaluated in 32 individuals with a genetic risk for schizophrenia (offspring of schizophrenic mothers). Heart rate activity was assessed in 1962 when the subjects were a mean age of 15.1 years. Diagnostic and computed tomography assessments were conducted in 1980. Compared to individuals with normal third ventricles, individuals with enlarged third ventricles evidenced significantly lower heart rate levels overall and significantly lower heart rate during rest and during the periods preceding conditioning and test for conditioning stimulus trials. These effects were independent of age, psychiatric diagnosis, and abnormalities in other brain regions. Difficulties in interpretation posed by the index of brain abnormality employed and by the 18-year time interval between the heart rate and computed tomography assessments are discussed. Together with prior evidence of a relationship between third ventricle enlargement and reduced electrodermal responsiveness in the same subjects, these findings provide a preliminary indication that enlargement of the third ventricle may involve damage to diencephalic structures involved in autonomic nervous system activity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.