The British Journal of Psychiatry 144: 654-661 (1984)
© 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Evidence of disturbed CSF circulation and brain atrophy in cases of schizophrenic psychosis
G Oxenstierna, G Bergstrand, L Bjerkenstedt, G Sedvall and G Wik
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation was studied with isotope
cisternography in 30 patients with a schizophrenic type of psychosis. All
had previously received neuroleptic treatment. Disturbed CSF circulation
was found in 10 cases. In four of these, persistent intraventricular
radioactivity was observed as well as partly obstructed CSF spaces. In the
other six cases a slow CSF circulation was noted as well as evidence of
partly obstructed CSF spaces especially of the upper posterior frontal
region. Signs of atrophy of the cortex and vermis were found on CT scan in
10 cases. In four of these subjects a local atrophy was noticed in the
upper posterior frontal cortex and around the frontal part of the
interhemispheric fissure. Seventeen of the patients (57 per cent) had
pathological findings at isotope cisternography and/or at CT. Disturbed
circulation did not correlate with CT-findings, age, duration of psychosis,
alcohol abuse, drug consumption or family history for psychosis. CT
evidence of brain atrophy was significantly related to nonfamilial type of
psychosis.