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Computerised Tomography in Newly Diagnosed Schizophrenia and Schizophreniform Disorder

A Controlled Blind Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Pia Rubin ,
Agnete Karle ,
Ralf Hemmingsen ,
Ulla Noring ,
Susanne Møller-Madsen ,
Charlotte Hertel  and
Uffe Juul Povlsen
Pia Rubin*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Agnete Karle
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Section of Neuroradiology
Ralf Hemmingsen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Ulla Noring
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen
Susanne Møller-Madsen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Frederiksberg Hospital, University of Copenhagen
Charlotte Hertel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen
Uffe Juul Povlsen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Kommunehospitalet, University of Copenhagen
*
∗Department of Psychiatry E, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark
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Abstract

Patients with newly diagnosed schizophrenia (n = 27) or schizophreniform disorder (n = 22) and 24 healthy volunteers were investigated by CT scan, the investigators being blind to subject status. The patients had never received medication or had been treated only briefly with neuroleptics. The patients had significantly smaller brain volume and brain length than the controls. The patients had greater sulcal enlargement in the case of both Sylvian and interhemispheric fissures and surface sulci in the frontal and parietal regions. The sulcal enlargement was more pronounced in male patients and on the left hemisphere. The study revealed no enlargement of the lateral ventricles and only a trend towards enlargement of the third ventricle in the patients. The findings were not explained by substance abuse or level of education.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 163 , Issue 5 , November 1993 , pp. 604 - 612
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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