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Internal capsule size associated with outcome in first-episode schizophrenia
ISSN
0940-1334
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Schneider-Axmann, Thomas
Woelwer, Wolfgang
Gaebel, Wolfgang
Riesbeck, Mathias
Maier, Wolfgang
Klosterkoetter, Joachim
Schneider, Frank
Buchkremer, Gerd
Möller, Hans-Jürgen
Schmitt, Andrea
Bender, Stefan
Schloesser, Ralf G. M.
DOI
10.1007/s00406-008-0867-y
Abstract
Subtle structural brain abnormalities are an established finding in first-episode psychosis. Nevertheless their relationship to the clinical course of schizophrenia is controversially discussed. In a multicentre study 45 first-episode schizophrenia patients (FE-SZ) underwent standardized MRI scanning and were followed up to 1 year. In 32 FE-SZ volumetric measurement of three regions of interests (ROIs) potentially associated with disease course, hippocampus, lateral ventricle and the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) could be performed. The subgroups of FE-SZ with good (12 patients) and poor outcome (11 patients), defined by a clinically relevant change of the PANSS score, were compared with regard to these volumetric measures. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant reduced maximal cross sectional area of the left ALIC in FE-SZ with clinically relevant deterioration compared to those with stable psychopathology. There were no differences in the other selected ROIs between the two subgroups. In conclusion, reduced maximal area of ALIC, which can be interpreted as a disturbance of fronto-thalamic connectivity, is associated with poor outcome during the 1 year course of first-episode schizophrenia.
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