Ventricular enlargement in schizophrenia: a primary change in the temporal lobe?

BACKGROUND

The anatomical origin of the enlargement of the cerebral ventricles in schizophrenia is obscure.

METHODS

In this study, the volumes of the hemispheres and lateral ventricles were assessed in MRI scans of 43 formalin-fixed brains (23 from patients and 19 comparison subjects) using a spline 'snake' segmentation method.

RESULTS

A bilateral ventricular volume increase was found in schizophrenia. Whereas enlargement of the lateral ventricle (mean: 54%) as a whole was related to age of onset and was greater in females than in males, enlargement of the temporal horn (mean: 54%) was not strongly related to age of onset or sex. Lateral ventricle volume was negatively correlated with STG, fusiform and parahippocampal volume in schizophrenia. Hemispheric volumes were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

The differing correlates of the components of ventricular enlargement suggest a degree of selectivity of the disease process with a focus in the temporal lobe.