Sm. Lawrie et Ss. Abukmeil, BRAIN ABNORMALITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA - A SYSTEMATIC AND QUANTITATIVE REVIEW OF VOLUMETRIC MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING STUDIES, British Journal of Psychiatry, 172, 1998, pp. 110-120
Background Numerous in vivo brain imaging studies suggest that cerebra
l structure is abnormal in schizophrenia, but implicate different regi
ons to varying extents. Method We identified published MRI studies in
schizophrenia with searches of the computerised literature and key jou
rnals. Reports giving the volumes of cortical structures in people wit
h schizophrenia and controls were included. The percentage differences
in volumes were calculated and the median taken as a summary measure
for each brain region. Results Forty relevant studies were identified.
The median percentage volume differences revealed overall reductions
in the whole brain (3%), temporal robe (6% left, 9.5% right), and the
amygdala/hippocampal complex (6.5%, 5.5%); and increases in the latera
l ventricles (44%, 36%), that were greatest in the body and occipital
horns. Segmentation studies suggest that grey matter is reduced but th
at white matter volumes may actually be increased. In men, substantial
reductions were also evident in the amygdala and hippocampus, as well
as the largest reductions of all in the parahippocampus (14%, 9%). Fe
w studies gave figures for women alone. Conclusions Several brain stru
ctures in schizophrenia are affected to a greater extent than expected
from overall reductions in brain volume. Further studies are required
in affected women, and to try to identify clinical and aetiological a
ssociations of these findings.