Cortical gray matter volume deficit in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE

A cortical gray matter deficit has been found in cross-sectional studies of patients with chronic schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this deficit is present early in the course of illness.

METHOD

The authors measured cortical gray matter volume on magnetic resonance images acquired within 6 months of onset of illness from 22 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 51 age-matched comparison subjects from the Stony Brook First Episode Study.

RESULTS

A significant cortical gray matter deficit and lateral ventricular enlargement were found in schizophrenic patients relative to the comparison group.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of the cortical gray matter deficit close to onset of illness supports the role of preexisting structural brain deficits in the genesis of schizophrenia.