Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Scheepers, F. E. Articles by Kahn, R. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Scheepers, F. E. Articles by Kahn, R. S. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Other Neuroleptics MRI

Effect of Clozapine on Caudate Nucleus Volume in Relation to Symptoms of Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Studies have found that caudate volume increased after treatment with typical antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia but decreased after treatment was changed to clozapine. In the current study the authors examined whether this volume decrease was related to clinical improvement. METHOD: Twenty-eight patients with schizophrenia who had not responded to treatment with typical antipsychotics were included in the study; 22 completed the study. Caudate volume was assessed by using magnetic resonance imaging during treatment with typical antipsychotics and after 24 weeks and 52 weeks of clozapine treatment. Symptoms were assessed just before clozapine treatment and once a month thereafter. RESULTS: Clozapine treatment resulted in a significant reduction in left caudate volume in patients who responded to the drug but not in patients who did not respond to clozapine at 52 weeks of treatment. Overall, the degree of reduction in left caudate volume was significantly related to the extent of improvement in positive and general symptoms but not in negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the caudate nucleus plays a role in the positive and general symptoms of schizophrenia.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. E. DeLisi The Concept of Progressive Brain Change in Schizophrenia: Implications for Understanding Schizophrenia Schizophr Bull, March 1, 2008; 34(2): 312 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kopelman, N. C. Andreasen, and P. Nopoulos Morphology of the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus in Patients With Schizophrenia: Relationship to Typical Neuroleptic Exposure Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2005; 162(10): 1872 - 1878. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Lang, L. C. Kopala, R. A. Vandorpe, Q. Rui, G. N. Smith, V. M. Goghari, J. S. Lapointe, and W. G. Honer Reduced Basal Ganglia Volumes After Switching to Olanzapine in Chronically Treated Patients With Schizophrenia Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2004; 161(10): 1829 - 1836. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. D. Taylor, D. C. Steffens, J. R. MacFall, D. R. McQuoid, M. E. Payne, J. M. Provenzale, and K. R. R. Krishnan White Matter Hyperintensity Progression and Late-Life Depression Outcomes Arch Gen Psychiatry, November 1, 2003; 60(11): 1090 - 1096. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Arango, A. Breier, R. McMahon, W. T. Carpenter Jr., and R. W. Buchanan The Relationship of Clozapine and Haloperidol Treatment Response to Prefrontal, Hippocampal, and Caudate Brain Volumes Am J Psychiatry, August 1, 2003; 160(8): 1421 - 1427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Cahn, H. E. H. Pol, E. B. T. E. Lems, N. E. M. van Haren, H. G. Schnack, J. A. van der Linden, P. F. Schothorst, H. van Engeland, and R. S. Kahn Brain Volume Changes in First-Episode Schizophrenia: A 1-Year Follow-up Study Arch Gen Psychiatry, November 1, 2002; 59(11): 1002 - 1010. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2001 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us