Structural brain imaging and the prevention of schizophrenia: can we identify neuroanatomical markers for young people at risk for the development ofschizophrenia?

Objective: To examine the potential role of measures derived from structura l brain imaging as phenotypic markers for the development of schizophrenia. Method: Literature review of results of MRI-based assessments of brain stru cture in patients with schizophrenia, their first-degree relatives and fact ors that affect interpretation of such results. Results: Reliable differences in brain structure can be detected in patient s with schizophrenia, including those experiencing a first episode of psych osis. Further research is required to determine whether these differences a re progressive, how they relate to potential confounding factors such as co morbid substance abuse and the functional consequences of the relatively su btle changes observed. Conclusions: Further research is needed before structural brain change can be considered as a phenotypic marker for those at risk of developing schizo phrenia. Large-scale collaborative research in clinical and normal voluntee r groups using standardised assessment protocols would enable the early ide ntification of those findings with predictive power in at-risk populations.