ABSTRACT
Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans were blindly examined, and lateral ventricular-to-brain ratios calculated in 19 schizophrenic and 27 bipolar patients, and in an equal number of individually matched normal controls. Family history, early development, past psychiatric history, and current functioning and symptomatology were analyzed for all patients. Lateral ventricular enlargement on CAT was found in a significant proportion of both patient groups. Patients with such enlargement tended to have greater numbers of negative symptoms and poorer premorbid adjustment, but did not differ regarding family history of psychiatric illness. A subgroup of schizophrenics with presumed early brain damage was identified. This group had more marked ventricular enlargement, a greater number of negative symptoms, and an earlier onset of illness.
Subject(s)
Bipolar Disorder/diagnosis , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Hydrocephalus/diagnostic imaging , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Achievement , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Bipolar Disorder/genetics , Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Birth Injuries/complications , Brain Injuries/complications , Cerebral Ventricles/anatomy & histology , Female , Humans , Hydrocephalus/complications , Male , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Schizophrenia/complications , Schizophrenia/genetics , Schizophrenic PsychologyABSTRACT
Forty-six patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and 46 individually matched normal volunteers underwent computed tomographic (CT) scans of the head. The ventricular-to-brain ratio was strongly associated with persistent unemployment and negative symptoms in both patient groups. Previous findings of relative lateral ventricular enlargement in a proportion of schizophrenic and bipolar patients were also replicated. Implications of the relationship between CT changes and chronic unemployment among the patients are discussed.
Subject(s)
Bipolar Disorder/pathology , Cerebral Ventricles/pathology , Schizophrenia/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Unemployment , Adolescent , Adult , Bipolar Disorder/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Schizophrenic Psychology , Social AdjustmentABSTRACT
The presence of lateral ventricular enlargement in some manic-depressive subjects, as assessed by ventricular-brain ratios (VBRs), has been reported. A study of 27 bipolar patients and 27 individually matched normal controls confirmed that finding. Bipolar patients had significantly larger VBRs than did controls. Clinical measures associated with the presence of ventricular enlargement in the bipolar patients included more frequent hospitalizations and histories of persistent unemployment. Other measures of illness severity or social deterioration were not significantly associated with large VBR.
