Gray matter volume decreases in elderly patients with schizophrenia: a voxel-based morphometry study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aged patients (>50 years old) with residual schizophrenic symptoms differ from young patients. They represent a subpopulation with a more unfavorable Kraepelinian course and have an increased risk (up to 30%) for dementia of unknown origin. However, our current understanding of age-related brain changes in schizophrenia is derived from studies that included less than 17% of patients who were older than 50 years of age. This study investigated the anatomical distribution of gray matter (GM) brain deficits in aged patients with ongoing schizophrenia.

Methods

Voxel-based morphometry was applied to 3D-T1 magnetic resonance images obtained from 27 aged patients with schizophrenia (mean age of 60 years) and 40 age-matched normal controls.

Results

Older patients w

SUBMITTER: Schuster C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3406517 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature