The timing and functional consequences of structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenia

Abstract

Evidence from structural imaging studies provides some support that schizophrenia arises from an abnormality occurring early in brain development. For example, a para-cingulate sulcus occurs less frequently in first episode psychosis and in chronic schizophrenia patients than in healthy control subjects. Since sulcal/gyral folding is nearly complete by the third trimester of gestation, it is likely that the anomalous fissurization observed in the cingulate cortex arises early in development. However, cross-sectional studies at various phases of the illness and longitudinal studies suggest possible progression of structural abnormalities during the course of the illness. In particular, data f..