THE MAUDSLEY FAMILY STUDY .4. NORMAL PLANUM TEMPORALE ASYMMETRY IN FAMILIAR SCHIZOPHRENIA - A VOLUMETRIC MRI STUDY

Background Loss or reversal of the normal asymmetry of the planum temp orale (PT) has been reported in schizophrenia, and may be due to aberr ations in the gene(s) controlling the development oi brain asymmetries . We tested this hypothesis in a sample of schizophrenics and their re latives ii-om families multiply affected with the disorder. Method We compared 32 schizophrenics and 55 of their non-schizophrenic first-deg ree relatives with 39 matched community controls. Volumetric measureme nts of the cortical volume beneath the PT were obtained using the Cava lieri method ii-om three-dimensionally reconstructed magnetic resonanc e imaging images. Results PT volume asymmetry coefficients ii-om patie nts and their relatives did not differ significantly from those of the controls. Gender-specific analysis did not reveal any differences. Co nclusions Abnormalities in PT volume asymmetry are not present in fami lial schizophrenia, where genetic factors appear to predominate.