Increase in caudate nuclei volumes of first-episode schizophrenic patients taking antipsychotic drugs.

摘要: Objective This study examined the pathomorphology of caudate nuclei in first-episode schizophrenic patients with minimal previous neuroleptic exposure. Method Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was used to examine longitudinally 29 and 10 healthy comparison subjects. MRI scans were obtained after subjects entered at 18-month follow-up. The treated standardized regimens during period. Volumetric assessments cerebral cortex, lateral ventricles, performed on T1-weighted coronal sections. In addition, systematically evaluated for psychopathology baseline treatment. Results Caudate volumes increased 5.7% treatment interval, whereas they decreased 1.6% over same time Greater amounts antipsychotic medication received by before first scan younger age associated larger increases volume. Conclusions enlargement occurs early course young patients. may be a result an interaction between plasticity dopaminergic neuronal systems