Minor Physical Anomalies and Quantitative Measures of the Head and Face in Patients With Psychosis

Abstract

Several of the features that differentiate patients from controls relate to the development of the neuro-basicranial complex and the adjacent temporal and frontal lobes. Future research should examine both the temporal lobe and the middle cranial fossa to reconcile our anthropomorphic findings and the literature showing smaller temporal lobes in patients with schizophrenia. Closer attention to the skull base may provide clues to the nature and timing of altered brain development in patients with psychosis.

Three-Dimensional Laser Surface Imaging and Geometric Morphometrics Resolve Frontonasal Dysmorphology in Schizophrenia

“…Anthropometric techniques have indicated subtle facial dysmorphology also in schizophrenia. We (Lane et al 1997) and others (McGrath et al 2002;Donovan-Lepore et al 2006) have noted altered proportions along the midline together with abnormalities of the eyes and widening of the skull base.…”

Reduced posterior nasal cavity volume: A gender-specific neurodevelopmental abnormality in schizophrenia

“…However, more recent studies, employing precise quantitative anthropometric measurements of the craniofacial area, have confirmed the presence of specific morphologic anomalies (Deutsch et al, 2000;Donovan-Lepore et al, 2006;McGrath et al, 2002). Among other findings, a widening of the base of the skull has been reported and replicated (Donovan-Lepore et al, 2006;Lane et al, 1997;McGrath et al, 2002). Bony ossification of the skull base begins in week 11 of gestation, coinciding with both the growth of the fronto-nasal area and, in the brain, with the development of midline structures, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (Kjaer, 1995), that also exhibit volume reductions in schizophrenia Turetsky et al, 2003b).…”

“…Early studies were limited by the use of subjective rating scales, lacking proven reliability, to assess dysmorphology (Trixler and Tenyi, 2000). However, more recent studies, employing precise quantitative anthropometric measurements of the craniofacial area, have confirmed the presence of specific morphologic anomalies (Deutsch et al, 2000;Donovan-Lepore et al, 2006;McGrath et al, 2002). Among other findings, a widening of the base of the skull has been reported and replicated (Donovan-Lepore et al, 2006;Lane et al, 1997;McGrath et al, 2002).…”

A study of cluster behavioral abnormalities in down syndrome

“…[7] Many children with Down syndrome also show lower level of task persistence and higher level of off-task behavior, interfering with task completion. [8] The topic of emotional problem in intellectually disabled individuals has received considerable a t t e n t i o n a m o n g t h e M e n t a l H e a l t h professionals. [9] An estimate that mental health problem is Þ ve times higher in intellectually disabled than general population is quite a conservative one.…”