Structural Abnormalties Description

Question 1

Enlarged Ventricles:

Answer 1

Ventricles= cavities in brain that transport cerebrospinal fluid, protect and provide chem stability to brain and spine.
4 Ventricles: L,R,3 and 4
Some ind w/ schz have larger ventricles than those w/o.
Weinberger- CAT scans- Found greater vent size in 58 ppts w/ chronic schz than 56 controls.

Question 2

Cortical Atrophy:

Answer 2

Atrophy= loss of neurons in brain
Can occur all over brain (shrinkage) or in one area- affects the function linked to that area.
Atrophy widens the groves covering the cerebral cortex- damages 20-30% of sufferers.
VITA- CAT scans- 124 ppts w/ schiz, 54 controls.
33% w/ schz- servere atrophy, NR to fam history or age but maybe gender (male)
Mod stats indicate atrophy is not only cause of schz, therefore, may be an effect rather than a casual factor.