study on computerized tomography in schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work is [1] to find out CT changes in schizophrenia and look for the different factors that may affect such changes e. g. duration of illness, family history, type of symptoms [positive vs. negative ones] and ECT. [2] to verify whether CT changes in schizophrenia are associated with some cognitive deficits. The material of this study included sixty schizophrenics and twenty controls. The methods used entitled [1] CT study e.g. ventricular dilatation, cortical atrophy, brain tissue density, [2] Organicity testing [Bender Gestalt test]. The results revealed the following 1- Schizophrenics had significant enlargement of the third ventricle [central atrophy] compared to controls. 2- Schizophrenics with longer duration of illness [more than 2 years] showed more significant central atrophy. 3- Factors like family history, type of symptoms and ECT had no significant relation to the presence of central atrophy. 4- Cortical atrophy was not significantly different in patients compared to controls. 5- The density of grey and white matter showed significant decrease in schizophrenics compared to controls. 6- In Bender Gestalt test, two thirds of schizophrenics gave organic scores while one third gave functional scores. Impairment of cognitive function is more likely to occur in patients with central atrophy [enlargement of the third ventricle]