Brain volume changes in the first year of illness and 5-year outcome of schizophrenia

Br J Psychiatry. 2006 Oct:189:381-2. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.015701.

Abstract

Progressive brain volume changes have been reported in first-episode schizophrenia, but their relationship to the disease process or to other factors remains unclear. We examined such changes in the first year of illness, and related them to 5-year outcome. Progressive brain volume changes, in particular of grey matter, during the first year of illness were found to be significantly associated with clinical and functional outcome 5 years after the first episode. These findings suggest that early dynamic brain volume changes are related to the disease process and predict the longer-term outcome of schizophrenia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Diseases / pathology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Schizophrenia / etiology
  • Schizophrenia / pathology*
  • Time Factors