Cerebral ventricular enlargement in schizophrenia. A preliminary follow-up study

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1986 Feb;43(2):157-9. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.1986.01800020067008.

Abstract

Lateral cerebral ventricular enlargement is now known to occur in some schizophrenic patients. To determine whether ventriculomegaly in schizophrenia is a static vs progressive process, we conducted a follow-up computed tomographic brain scan study on 11 young male patients, three years after initial scans were obtained. No significant change was found in the mean ventricles-brain ratio of this small schizophrenic sample after three years. Four of 11 patients showed noticeable increases (greater than 50%) in individual ratio. Methodologic problems are discussed and the need for follow-up studies as a research strategy is emphasized.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthropometry
  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Ventricles / anatomy & histology*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed