Poor Treatment Outcomes Early in the Course of Schizophrenia Led to Measurable Neurological Damage

Patients in their first episode of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n=107) as well as control participants (n=20) were longitudinally followed for up to 6 years. Cortical structures were examined using high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in both patients and healthy controls. In addition, clinical assessments of psychopathology and treatment outcomes were recorded.

This figure depicts the total ventricular volume change in patients with poor outcomes and good outcomes vs control participants. Ventricular volume change in patients with poor outcomes increased over time and were significantly different from those of patients with good outcomes (F=9.69, P=0.0028) and control participants (F=4.69, P=0.03).

Reference:
Lieberman J, Chakos M, Wu H, et al. Longitudinal study of brain morphology in first episode schizophrenia. Biol Psychiatry. 2001; 49 (6): 487-499.