Neuroimaging

Author(s): Kerwin, R.

Journal/Book: Curr Opin Psychiatry. 1997; 10: 2-6 Boundary Row, London, England SE1 8NH. Rapid Science Publishers. 16-25.

Abstract: The science of neuroimaging has added to our knowledge about the biological substrate for schizophrenia, Despite this, the daunting complexity of neuroimaging findings makes interpretation difficult and firm conclusions about the cerebral structural and functional deficits in schizophrenia seem as far away as ever. Nevertheless, the past year's literature holds tantalizing clues to future breakthroughs and increasing evidence supporting dominant hemispheric dysfunction localized in the temporal lobes. The use of larger, well characterized, sample populations has allowed further analysis of the relationship between imaging parameters and symptomatology. The differentiation of neural tracts connecting the brain regions thought to be involved has enabled experimenters to generate more sophisticated hypotheses to drive their research. In addition to this, the advent of more powerful image analysis algorithms offered the opportunity of automated analysis of large high-resolution data sets and the ability to combine easily images from different modalities, These developments may allow more consensus over image acquisition and analysis between groups and thereby results that are easier to replicate. The conclusions that can be drawn from the past year's literature are few. The case for abnormalities in the neural pathways connecting subcortical to cortical and cortical to cortical structures is stronger. The understanding of the neurochemical basis of the aetiology and treatment of schizophrenia is burgeoning.

Note: Article Travis MJ, Inst Psychiat, Dept Psychol Med, Sect Clin Neuropharmacol, de Crespigny Pk, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY; EMISSION COMPUTERIZED-TOMOGRAPHY; CEREBRAL GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION; NAIVE SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS; MINOR PHYSICAL ANOMALIES; TEMPORAL-LOBE; FIRST-EPISODE; BRAIN MORPHOLOGY; AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS; PHOSPHORUS-METABOLISM

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