CAUDATE-NUCLEUS MORPHOLOGY IN TARDIVE-DYSKINESIA

Objective. The objective of this project was to test whether there are differences in the size of the caudate nucleus in schizophrenic in-pa tients with and without tardive dyskinesia. Method. The study was cros s-sectional in design, examining group differences between institution alised schizophrenic patients with and without tardive dyskinesia, usi ng non-enhanced computerised tomography scans of the brain. The group comprised 15 schizophrenic patients with persistent tardive dyskinesia and 21 in-patient schizophrenic; controls who were group-matched for demographic variables. Results. The dyskinetic subjects had a signific antly larger left caudate nucleus and tended to have a larger right ca udate nucleus than the controls. There were no differences between the groups on any of the measures of cerebral atrophy. Conclusions. The f indings can be understood within the context of models of neostriatal function. It is possible that a larger caudate nucleus could be used t o identify patients at risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.