NEUROPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Objective: This initial report, from an ongoing study, examines whethe r children who have symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorder displa y neuropsychological or neuroanatomic abnormalities similar to those s een in adults with schizophrenia. Method: Experimental subjects were 1 2 children between 8 and 12 years of age who displayed symptoms of ear ly-onset schizophrenia or schizotypal personality disorder, as assesse d through the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for S chool-Age Children. The experimental subjects were compared with 13 co ntrols on neuropsychological test performance, magnetic resonance imag ing measurements, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy results. Results: Findings from the first phase of this project reveal signific ant overall group differences for several morphometric magnetic resona nce imaging measurements and all neuropsychological measures. Differen ces between the groups were found for amygdala volume, mesial temporal volume, callosal area, and anatomic asymmetry. Magnetic resonance spe ctroscopy data showed a trend toward group differences. Conclusions: T hese findings support a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia whic h postulates that environmentally or genetically programmed events in utero disrupt the establishment of fundamental aspects of brain struct ure and function.