Lack of progression of brain abnormalities in first-episode psychosis: a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study

Author(s):Show less -

Schaufelberger, M. S. ^[1] ; Lappin, J. M. ; Duran, F. L. S. ; Rosa, P. G. P. ; Uchida, R. R. ; Santos, L. C. ; Murray, R. M. ; McGuire, P. K. ; Scazufca, M. ; Menezes, P. R. ; Busatto, G. F.

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Psychiat Neuroimaging LIM 21, Dept & Inst Psychiat, Fac Med, Ctr Med Nucl, Hosp Clin FMUSP, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE; v. 41, n. 8, p. 1677-1689, AUG 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 35

Abstract

Background. Some neuroimaging studies have supported the hypothesis of progressive brain changes after a first episode of psychosis. We aimed to determine whether (i) first-episode psychosis patients would exhibit more pronounced brain volumetric changes than controls over time and (ii) illness course/treatment would relate to those changes. Method. Longitudinal regional grey matter volume and ventricle : brain ratio differences between 39 patients with first-episode psychosis (including schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder) and 52 non-psychotic controls enrolled in a population-based case-control study. Results. While there was no longitudinal difference in ventricle : brain ratios between first-episode psychosis subjects and controls, patients exhibited grey matter volume changes, indicating a reversible course in the superior temporal cortex and hippocampus compared with controls. A remitting course was related to reversal of baseline temporal grey matter deficits. Conclusions. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of brain changes indicating a progressive course in the initial phase of psychosis. Rather, some brain volume abnormalities may be reversible, possibly associated with a better illness course. (AU)