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Publication
Retrospective study on structural neuroimaging in first-episode psychosis
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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background. No consensus between guidelines exists regarding neuroimaging in firstepisode
psychosis. The purpose of this study is to assess anomalies found in structural
neuroimaging exams (brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI)) in the initial medical work-up of patients presenting first-episode
psychosis.
Methods. The study subjects were 32 patients aged 18–48 years (mean age: 29.6 years),
consecutively admitted with first-episode psychosis diagnosis. Socio-demographic and
clinical data and neuroimaging exams (CT and MRI) were retrospectively studied.
Diagnostic assessments were made using the Operational Criteria Checklist +. Neuroimaging
images (CT and MRI) and respective reports were analysed by an experienced
consultant psychiatrist.
Results. None of the patients had abnormalities in neuroimaging exams responsible
for psychotic symptoms. Thirty-seven percent of patients had incidental brain findings
not causally related to the psychosis (brain atrophy, arachnoid cyst, asymmetric lateral
ventricles, dilated lateral ventricles, plagiocephaly and falx cerebri calcification). No
further medical referral was needed for any of these patients. No significant differences
regarding gender, age, diagnosis, duration of untreated psychosis, in-stay and cannabis
use were found between patients who had neuroimaging abnormalities versus those
without.
Discussion. This study suggests that structural neuroimaging exams reveal scarce
abnormalities in young patients with first-episode psychosis. Structural neuroimaging
is especially useful in first-episode psychosis patients with neurological symptoms,
atypical clinical picture and old age.
Description
Keywords
Perturbações Psicóticas Ressonância Magnética Tomografia Computorizada
Citation
PeerJ. 2016; 4:e2069.