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The Possible Neurodevelopmental Significance of Structural Imaging Findings in Schizophrenia

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Developmental Neuropathology of Schizophrenia

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 217))

Abstract

The notion that brain abnormalities may underlie cognitive impairment and other “deficit” symptoms of schizophrenia was emphasized in early formulations of the disorder. Kraepelin (1919) viewed these deficits as reflecting a deteriorating brain disease of early adult onset, as indicated by his use of term dementia praecox. Pneumoencephalographic studies carried out in the middle part of this century tended to support this view. The most common finding was subtle cerebral pathology, as evidenced by enlargement of the hollow, fluid-filled spaces in the brain, particularly in the region of the third ventricle, or diencephalon, and particularly in those patients with intellectual and emotional deficits (e.g., Haug, 1962; Huber, 1957; Storey, 1966). These studies were limited by several methodological weaknesses, however, including the questionable reliability of pneumoencephalography, inadequate or unspecified diagnostic criteria and procedures, and inadequate controls (Weinberger et al., 1983).

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  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Tyrone D. Cannon

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  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Sarnoff A. Mednick , Tyrone D. Cannon , Christopher E. Barr  & José M. LaFosse , ,  & 

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Cannon, T.D. (1991). The Possible Neurodevelopmental Significance of Structural Imaging Findings in Schizophrenia. In: Mednick, S.A., Cannon, T.D., Barr, C.E., LaFosse, J.M. (eds) Developmental Neuropathology of Schizophrenia. NATO ASI Series, vol 217. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3378-8_8

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