Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine (Jan 2009)

Inferior parietal lobule volume and schneiderian first-rank symptoms in Antipsychotic-Naive schizophrenia: A 3-Tesla MRI study

  • Danivas Vijay,
  • Kalmady Sunil,
  • Arasappa Rashmi,
  • Behere Rishikesh,
  • Rao Naren,
  • Venkatasubramanian Ganesan,
  • Gangadhar B

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 2
pp. 82 – 87

Abstract

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Background: As per Frith′s neuro-cognitive model, inferior parietal lobule (IPL) is implicated in the pathogenesis of Schneiderian first-rank symptoms (FRS) in schizophrenia. The specific role of IPL structural abnormalities in the pathogenesis of FRS is yet to be ascertained. Materials and Methods: Using 3-tesla MRI scanner, this first-time study examined antipsychotic-naοve schizophrenia patients ( n = 28) (patients with FRS [FRS +]: N = 14, M: F = 7:7; and patients without FRS [FRS-]: N = 14, M: F = 7:7) in comparison with sex-, handedness-, education- and socioeconomic status-matched healthy controls ( n = 14, M: F = 7:7). The volume of IPL was measured using a three-dimensional, interactive, semi-automated analysis, with good inter-rater reliability. Results: FRS + patients showed significant volume deficit in right IPL in comparison with healthy controls (F = 4.0; P=.028) after controlling for the potential confounding effects of age, sex and intracranial volume. Conclusions: Right IPL volume deficit in FRS+patients adds further support to the Frith′s model of FRS in schizophrenia.

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