Magnetic resonance imaging of the thalamus in first-episode psychosis.

Ettinger, U; Chitnis, X A; Kumari, V; Fannon, D G; Sumich, A L; O'Ceallaigh, S; Doku, V C; Sharma, T · Am J Psychiatry · 2001

case_control · Level III

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Abstract

There is some evidence of thalamic abnormalities in schizophrenia. This study investigated thalamic volumes in patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis and nonpsychotic comparison subjects. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained for 38 patients and 29 comparison subjects. Patients' symptoms were rated by research psychiatrists using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Thalamic volumes were smaller in patients than in comparison subjects. There were no significant correlations between thalamic volumes and symptom scores. Thalamic abnormalities are present close to the onset of psychosis.

Medical subject headings