Relation between cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter and white matter changes in families with schizophrenia

Thomas Schneider-Axmann, Thomas Kamer, Manuel Moroni, Nadja Maric, Ralf Tepest, Indra Dani, William G. Honer, Harald Scherk, Marcella Rietschel, Thomas G. Schulze, Daniel J. Müller, Joachim Cordes, Helmut Schönell, Helmuth Steinmetz, Wofgang Gaebel, Kai Vogeley, Kai Uwe Kühn, Michael Wagner, Wolfgang Maier, Frank TräberWolfgang Block, Hans H. Schild, Peter Falkai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Gray matter reduction and ventricular enlargement belong to the best replicated findings in schizophrenia. Brain morphologic changes were also found in non-schizophrenic family members (FM). The intention of this study was to examine whether non-psychotic first-degree relatives reveal similar morphologic changes as schizophrenic patients and how state of genetic loading contribute to these abnormalities. Methods: Forty-nine schizophrenic patients, 71 non-schizophrenic FM and 48 control subjects took part in this volumetric MRI study. All subjects were between 18 and 59 years old. Dependent variables were gray matter, white matter and total cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, determined by SPM99 segmentation algorithm. As an important part of CSF lateral ventricle volume was determined manually by removing surrounding CSF areas. Results: In schizophrenic patients compared to controls and non-schizophrenic FM total CSF volumes and lateral ventricles were increased. Gray and, to a lesser degree, white matter volumes were decreased as well. For CSF, gray and white matter there was no significant difference between uni- and multiple affected families. CSF correlated significantly negative with gray matter (r = -0.78) and, less intensive, with white matter (r = -0.40). There were negative correlations between gray and white matter volume as well (r = -0.26). These correlations were not significantly different between the diagnostic groups. Conclusion: CSF enlargement and gray matter reductions in schizophrenic patients compared to controls and non-affected FM seem to be interdependent findings. However, this correlation is independent of the factor diagnosis and is therefore not specific for schizophrenia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)646-655
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research
Volume40
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cerebrospinal fluid
  • Endophenotype
  • Gray matter
  • Lateral ventricles
  • White matter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • General Psychology

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