Cerebellar volume in early-onset schizophrenia and its association with severity of symptoms

• Published in: Journal of international medical research Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 411 - 419
• Main Authors: Özbek, Aylin, Göçmen Mas, Nüket, Turan, Serkan, Ay, Bari, Serim Demirgören, Burcu, Nilüfer Yonguç, Gökşin, Karabekir, Selim, İpek Polat, Ayşe, Semra Hız, Ayşe, Gencer Kıdak, Özlem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-01-2019; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age of Onset; Asymmetry; Cerebrum - diagnostic imaging; Cerebrum - pathology; Cerebrum - physiopathology; Clinical Research Reports; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Organ Size; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data; Retrospective Studies; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnostic imaging; Schizophrenia - pathology; Schizophrenia - physiopathology; Severity of Illness Index; stereology; magnetic resonance imaging; cerebellum; general functionality; Early-onset schizophrenia; Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060518803028

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate whether early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) cases differ from controls regarding volumes of the total cerebellum and the right and left cerebellar hemispheres, and volumetric asymmetry. Correlations of cerebellar volumes and asymmetry indices with severity of symptoms and general functioning in cases of EOS were also assessed.
Methods
Adolescents with EOS (n = 23) were compared with controls (n = 23). Sociodemographic and clinical data, and magnetic resonance imaging scans that were acquired for routine clinical purposes were collected retrospectively. Cerebellar volumes were evaluated using the stereological method. Asymmetry indices were subsequently calculated. Scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Children’s Global Assessment Scale were used to assess the severity of symptoms and general functionality.
Results
There were no significant differences in any of the cerebellar volumes and asymmetry indices between the two groups. Neither cerebellar volumes nor asymmetry indices were correlated with the severity of symptoms and general functionality in EOS.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that the early-onset form of schizophrenia does not show apparent volumetric changes of the cerebellum. Additionally, the neural circuits involved in formation of symptomatology may not reflect any correlation with cerebellar volumes at mid-adolescence.