[A comparative study of voxel-based morphometry in patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar mania].

OBJECTIVE

To assess volumetric abnormalities of grey matter in the brains of patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (mania).

METHODS

3D T1 weighted images were acquired by magnetic resonance imaging from 20 patients with paranoid schizophrenia, 20 patients with bipolar disorder (mania) and 20 control subjects. Regional deviation in gray matter volume was assessed using optimized volumetric voxel-based morphometry. ANOVA was performed to test the difference of the gray matter volume (GMV).

RESULTS

Compared with controls, the patients with paranoid schizophrenia showed decreased gray matter volume in left superior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus and inferior temporal gyrus, and increased gray matter volume in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral claustrum. Whereas, the patients with bipolar disorder (mania) showed decreased gray matter volume in right superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and bilateral caudate, and increased gray matter volume in bilateral precuneus, left postcentral gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus and left cingulated gyrus. The patients with paranoid schizophrenic patients had greater gray matter volume in left inferior frontal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus and right caudate than the patients with bipolar disorder.

CONCLUSION

Patients with schizophrenic and bipolar disorder have different changes in brain structure. However, they also share the same reduction of GDV in right temporal gyrus.