A quantitative MR measure of the fornix in schizophrenia

Citation
J. Zahajszky et al., A quantitative MR measure of the fornix in schizophrenia, SCHIZOPHR R, 47(1), 2001, pp. 87-97
Citations number
49
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,"Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
ISSN journal
09209964 → ACNP
Volume
47
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
87 - 97
Database
ISI
SICI code
0920-9964(20010115)47:1<87:AQMMOT>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
Some cognitive disturbances accompanying schizophrenia may be due to abnorm alities in the thalamus and components of the limbic system. The fornix is an important white-matter relay pathway connecting these structures and is likely to be affected in schizophrenia as well. Magnetic resonance images of the fornix were analyzed in 15 schizophrenic p atients and 15 matched comparison group subjects. Fornix volume was compare d between the two groups and was also correlated with the volumes of other neuroanatomical structures, as well as with illness presentation, clinical status, and cognitive/psychological measures. There was no significant difference in fornix volume between the two groups . Of note, fornix volume correlated significantly with the volumes of the h ippocampus, parahippocampus. and the superior temporal gyrus in the schizop hrenic subjects, but not in the controls. Moreover. the correlation between Fornix and parahippocampal gyrus volumes differed significantly between th e two groups. No association was found between fornix volume and illness pr esentation or between fornix and cognitive/clinical measures. Results suggest that there are no marked changes in fornix volume in schizo phrenia by MRI. The fornix, however. may be part of a network of structures affected in schizophrenia. as indicated by correlated volumetric changes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.