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.