This study was designed to assist in detemining whether brain atrophy is specific to schizophrenia or whether it is characteristic of affective disorder as well. To assess whether meaningful computed tomography findings are present in
schizophrenia
and
affective disorder either, the authors evaluated CT scans of 57 patients with schizophrenia. 45 patients with affective disorder (18 patients with bipolar disorder and 27 patients with major depression) and CO controls. And then measured the
width
of
third ventricle. Ventricular-Brain Ratio(VBR). interhemispheric fissure, the third ventricle-sylvian fissure/skull ratio and the sum of 4 sulci.
And the authors designed the study so as to be able to examine the relationship between CT findings and a variety of sociodemographic correlates. such as age and sex. as well ad a range of clinical correlates. such as age of onset. duration of
illness.
number and duration of previous hospitalization. etc.
@ES The results were as follows:
@EN 1. The mean of width of third ventricle(P<0.01) VBR(P<0.0001). and width of interhemispheric fissure were significantly differenent among three groups. Both schizophrenic and affective disorder patients had significantly larger VBR than that
of
control(I<0.05). The mean width of third ventricle of schizophrenic patients(P<0.01). and width of interhemispheric fissure in affective disorder patients(P<0.05) were significantly larger than those of the other groups each other.
2. The mean of width of third ventricle(P<0.05) and Ventricular Brain Ratio(P<0.00001) were significantly different among four groups. The mean width of third ventricle of schizophrenic and depression patients were significantly larger than that
of
bipolar disorder patients (P<0.05), and also the means of VBR of them were significantly larger than that of bipolar disorder patients and controls(P<0.05).
3. Lateral ventricular enlagrement in schizophrenic patients was related to relevant clinical correlates. such as age of onset(correlation coefficient=0.35, P<0.01), number of previous hospitalization(correlation coefficient-0.34, P<0.01).
4. In affective disorder patients age was significantly correlated with width of third ventricle (P<0.01) and VBR(P<0.001) and the age of onset and duration of lithium treatment were also significantly correlated with VBR(P<0.001, and P<0.01). In
major
depressive patient age and age of onset were same as all of the affective disorder, but in bipolar disorder patients duration of illness was significantly correlated with width of interhemispheric fissure(P<0.01).
5. Venticular Brain Ratio was enlarged in subgroups of older(more than 46 years), female, psychotic, unipolar, and Dexamethasone Suppression Test(DST) positive patients when compared to individually age and sex matched controls. The comparison
between
the subgroups of patients yielded higher third ventricle(P<0.01) and VBR(P<0.005) values in older patients, higher interhemispheric values(P<0.01) in psychotic patients, and also higher sum of 4 sulci (P<0.05) in DST positive patients. No
differencies
were found between unipolar versus bipolar, male versus female and lithium-treated versus non-lithium treated patients.
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