Corpus callosum size in schizophrenia - a magnetic resonance imaging analysis

Previous MRI studies have shown differences in corpus callosum size between schizophrenic patients and controls. The corpus callosum (CC), as the main interhemispheric fiber tract, plays an important role in interhemispheric integration and communication. Though MRI studies suggest smaller CC in sch izophrenia, there are still conflicting findings. Using in vivo magnetic re sonance imaging, it was investigated whether the midsagittal area of CC dif fers between twenty-three right-handed male schizophrenic patients and twen ty-three matched controls. Total CC area, five subregions of CC, total brai n volume, gray and white matter were measured. No differences between schiz ophrenic patients and controls were found regarding all CC measurements, to tal brain volume, and gray matter tissue. However, a significant reduction of white matter tissue in the patient group emerged. There was no correlati on between CC morphology and clinical variables such as age of onset, lengt h of illness or symptom severity. Interestingly, five schizophrenic patient s with a positive family history of schizophrenia showed significant reduct ion of the subregion C3, associated with a reduced total brain and gray and white matter volume. Significant reduction in the CC and its subregions wa s not confirmed in this group of patients with schizophrenia. In the subgro up of schizophrenic patients with a positive family history of schizophreni a, a significant reduction of the subregion corresponding to a part of the trunk of the CC was found.