OBJECTIVE: The effect of clozapine on striatal morphology was examined
in adolescents with childhood-onset schizophrenia. METHOD: Eight adolescent
patients with onset of psychosis before age 12 and eight matched comparison
subjects had initial and 2-year follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging
scans. Basal ganglia and lateral ventricle volumes were measured. The
patients were on a clozapine regimen during the 2-year interim. RESULTS:
Caudate volume was larger in the patients at the initial scanning,
decreased in the patients between scans, and did not differ significantly
between the patients and the comparison subjects at the second scanning.
CONCLUSIONS: Caudate enlargement in patients with childhood-onset
schizophrenia who are taking typical neuroleptics appears to be secondary
to medication exposure. Rescanning to examine basal ganglia morphology is
indicated for these patients when they are taking an atypical
neuroleptic.Abstract Teaser