Volumetric Brain MRI Changes in Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract
Background: The core symptoms of schizophrenia is associated with changes in volumes of specific regions of the brain.
Aim of Study: Is to correlate between Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), Hippocampus, (HC) and Cerebellum (CRM) volumes and schizophrenic core symptoms (cognitive, negative and positive).
Methods: The study included twenty schizophrenic patients and 20 matched healthy individuals as control group. DSM-IV-TR was used for diagnosis of Schizophrenia while Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for symptoms assess-ment. 3D Slicer version 4.2.2 software was used for regional volumetric measurements. Both patients and control were assessed by [Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), Trail Making test (TM) and Folstein Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE] cognitive tests.
Results: Significant decrease of volumes of HC [right, p=0.042,], vermis [p=0.02], right, p=0.25], PFC [left p=0.009, right p=0.006], and CRM [left p=0.041. The scores of WMS sub tests (p<0.005), MMSE (p=0.001) and two stages TM delay time (p<0.01) revealed significant reduction in patients than control. PANSS negative symptoms score revealed negative correlation with vermis (p<0.001) and right CRM lobe volume (p<0.001), while positive correlation between PANSS positive symptoms score and cerebellar vermis (p=0.007) and negative with both HC volumes (p=0.01).
Conclusion: Hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cere-bellum volumes reduction and correlation with core symptoms help in assessment of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.