INCREASED INTRACEREBRAL CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID SPACES PREDICT UNEMPLOYMENT AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN PSYCHOTIC ILLNESS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Background. It has been suggested that the dimensions of cerebral vent ricles are a risk factor for poor outcome in psychotic illness. Method . A cohort of 140 patients with functional psychoses of recent onset w ho had undergone CT scanning, were followed up for an average of 46 mo nths and assessed on six dimensions of course and outcome of illness. Results. Left and right sylvian fissure volumes and, to a lesser exten t, third ventricular volume predicted negative symptoms and unemployme nt over the course of follow-up, the latter association being mediated by poor cognitive functioning. There was a significant linear trend i n risk over the distribution of sylvian fissure volumes in the cohort, and associations were especially evident in schizophrenic patients. N o associations were found with global severity of illness, duration of hospital stay, homelessness, or affective symptoms. Conclusions. Thes e findings support the notion that dimensions of the cerebral ventricl es are a continuous risk factor for some measures of outcome in the fu nctional psychoses.