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

Abstract

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.

Cerebellar volumes in early-onset bipolar disorder: a pilot study of a stereological measurement technique

“…In their study, Szesko et al [15] submitted that although patients and healthy comparison subjects did not differ in any of cerebellar volumes, cerebellar asymmetry is reversed in patients with schizophrenia. On the other hand, a study conducted by Özbek et al [22] did not reveal any cerebellar asymmetry in earlyonset schizophrenia cases in comparison to controls. Similar to Özbek et al's finding in early-onset schizophrenia patients, we could not find a significant difference in cerebellar asymmetry indices between earlyonset bipolar cases and healthy controls.…”

“…In addition to cerebellar volumetric measurements, we also investigated the presence of cerebellar asymmetry in our study. Although there are some studies investigating cerebellar asymmetry in adult and early-onset schizophrenia, to our knowledge, there is no study exploring cerebellar volumetric asymmetry in both adult and early-onset bipolar disorder [15,16,22]. In their study, Szesko et al [15] submitted that although patients and healthy comparison subjects did not differ in any of cerebellar volumes, cerebellar asymmetry is reversed in patients with schizophrenia.…”

“…Asymmetry index were calculated as described in our former study [((Right _ Left)/(Right _ Left)) * 100] [15,22].…”