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Psychiatry Research, 44:55+52 Elsevier
Relationship Between Symptoms Rated With the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Brain Measures in Schizophrenia Thierry d’Amato, Thierry Rochet, Jean Dalery, Annie Laurent, Jean-Hugues Chauchat, Jean-Louis Terra, and Michel Marie-Cardine Received June 18, 1991; revised version received May 19, 1992; accepted July 25, 1992. Abstract. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to rate clinical symptoms in 42 inpatients with schizophrenia before they were examined by computed tomography. Significantly higher mean size of lateral and third ventricles, and higher mean cortical atrophy were found in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy control subjects. Ventricular enlargement and cortical atrophy were significantly related to low scores on the Composite subscale of the PANSS. Positive correlations were observed mainly with negative items such as blunted affect, emotional withdrawal, difficulties in abstract thinking, passiveapathetic social withdrawal, and lack of spontaneity of conversation. Additional positive correlations were observed with two items from the General Psychopathology subscale (mannerisms and disorientation). Inverse correlations were found with most positive items. These results suggest a relationship between brain structural abnormalities and the symptomatology of schizophrenia recorded with PANSS. Key Words.
Computed
tomography,
ventricle-brain
ratio, cortical
atrophy,
symptoms. Since the first report by Johnstone et al. (1976), numerous computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging studies have revealed that a great proportion of schizophrenic patients have moderate brain abnormalities in the ventricular system and sometime in the cortex. Some of these studies have emphasized the relationship between ventricular enlargement and such characteristics as negative symptoms (Crow, 1980; Andreasen et al., 1982, 1990; Pearlson et al., 1984; Williams et al., 1985; Ota et al., 1987; Moscarelli et al., 1989), cognitive impairment (Johnstone et al., 1978; Donnelly et al., 1980; Golden et al., 1980; Andreasen et al.,
Thierry d’Amato, M.D., is Chef de Clinique, Assistant, Service Hosuitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatric Adulte, H8pital du Vinatier, Lyon-Bron, France. Thierry Rochet, M.-D., is Chef de Clinique, Assistant, Universitaire de Psychiatric Infanto-JuvCnile. HBoital Neurologiaue. Lvon-Bron. France. Jean Dal&v.
Psychiatry Research, 44:55+52 Elsevier
Relationship Between Symptoms Rated With the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Brain Measures in Schizophrenia Thierry d’Amato, Thierry Rochet, Jean Dalery, Annie Laurent, Jean-Hugues Chauchat, Jean-Louis Terra, and Michel Marie-Cardine Received June 18, 1991; revised version received May 19, 1992; accepted July 25, 1992. Abstract. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to rate clinical symptoms in 42 inpatients with schizophrenia before they were examined by computed tomography. Significantly higher mean size of lateral and third ventricles, and higher mean cortical atrophy were found in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy control subjects. Ventricular enlargement and cortical atrophy were significantly related to low scores on the Composite subscale of the PANSS. Positive correlations were observed mainly with negative items such as blunted affect, emotional withdrawal, difficulties in abstract thinking, passiveapathetic social withdrawal, and lack of spontaneity of conversation. Additional positive correlations were observed with two items from the General Psychopathology subscale (mannerisms and disorientation). Inverse correlations were found with most positive items. These results suggest a relationship between brain structural abnormalities and the symptomatology of schizophrenia recorded with PANSS. Key Words.
Computed
tomography,
ventricle-brain
ratio, cortical
atrophy,
symptoms. Since the first report by Johnstone et al. (1976), numerous computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging studies have revealed that a great proportion of schizophrenic patients have moderate brain abnormalities in the ventricular system and sometime in the cortex. Some of these studies have emphasized the relationship between ventricular enlargement and such characteristics as negative symptoms (Crow, 1980; Andreasen et al., 1982, 1990; Pearlson et al., 1984; Williams et al., 1985; Ota et al., 1987; Moscarelli et al., 1989), cognitive impairment (Johnstone et al., 1978; Donnelly et al., 1980; Golden et al., 1980; Andreasen et al.,
Thierry d’Amato, M.D., is Chef de Clinique, Assistant, Service Hosuitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatric Adulte, H8pital du Vinatier, Lyon-Bron, France. Thierry Rochet, M.-D., is Chef de Clinique, Assistant, Universitaire de Psychiatric Infanto-JuvCnile. HBoital Neurologiaue. Lvon-Bron. France. Jean Dal&v.
