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The Maudsley Family Study 4. Normal planum temporale asymmetry in familial schizophrenia

A volumetric MRI study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

S. Frangou ,
T. Sharma ,
T. Sigmundsson ,
P. Barta ,
G. Pearlson  and
R. M. Murray
S. Frangou*
Affiliation:
Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Institute of Psychiatry, London
T. Sharma
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
T. Sigmundsson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
P. Barta
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US
G. Pearlson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, US
R. M. Murray
Affiliation:
Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr S. Frangou, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF. Fax: 0171 701 9044
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Abstract

Background

Loss or reversal of the normal asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT) has been reported in schizophrenia, and may be due to aberrations in the gene(s) controlling the development of brain asymmetries. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of schizophrenics and their relatives from families multiply affected with the disorder.

Method

We compared 32 schizophrenics and 55 of their non-schizophrenic first-degree relatives with 39 matched community controls. Volumetric measurements of the cortical volume beneath the PT were obtained using the Cavalieri method from three-dimensionally reconstructed magnetic resonance imaging images.

Results

PT volume asymmetry coefficients from patients and their relatives did not differ significantly from those of the controls. Gender-specific analysis did not reveal any differences.

Conclusions

Abnormalities in PT volume asymmetry are not present in familial schizophrenia, where genetic factors appear to predominate.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 4 , April 1997 , pp. 328 - 333
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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