Quantitative morphology of the corpus callosum in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Neuroimaging studies have implicated the corpus callosum (CC) in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Putative dysfunctions in prefrontal cortical regions suggest anomalies in anterior segments of the CC. However, recent studies have also implicated the middle and posterior CC.

Microduplications disrupting the MYT1L gene (2p25.3) are associated with schizophrenia.

Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) is a rare severe form of schizophrenia that may have greater salient genetic risk. Despite evidence for high heritability, conclusive genetic causes of schizophrenia remain elusive. Recent genomic technologies in concert with large case-control cohorts have led to several associations of highly penetrant rare copy number variants (CNVs) and schizophrenia.

Tolerability of transcranial direct current stimulation in childhood-onset schizophrenia.

Background: In recent years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used to study and treat many neuropsychiatric conditions. However, information regarding its tolerability in the pediatric population is lacking.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the tolerability aspects of tDCS in the childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) population.

Normalization of cortical gray matter deficits in nonpsychotic siblings of patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia.

Objective: Cortical gray matter (GM) abnormalities in patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) progress during adolescence ultimately localizing to prefrontal and temporal cortices by early adult age. A previous study of 52 nonpsychotic siblings of COS probands had significant prefrontal and temporal GM deficits that appeared to "normalize" by age 17 years. Here we present a replication with nonoverlapping groups of healthy full siblings and healthy controls.

Childhood onset schizophrenia: high rate of visual hallucinations.

Objective: To document high rates and clinical correlates of nonauditory hallucinations in childhood onset schizophrenia (COS).

Method: Within a sample of 117 pediatric patients (mean age 13.6 years), diagnosed with COS, the presence of auditory, visual, somatic/tactile, and olfactory hallucinations was examined using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS).

Lack of gender influence on cortical and subcortical gray matter development in childhood-onset schizophrenia.

Background: Progressive cortical gray matter (GM) abnormalities are an established feature of schizophrenia and are more pronounced in rare, severe, and treatment refractory childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) cases. The effect of sex on brain development in schizophrenia is poorly understood and studies to date have produced inconsistent results.

Methods: Using the largest to date longitudinal sample of COS cases (n = 104, scans = 249, Male/Female [M/F] = 57/47), we compared COS sex differences with sex differences in a sample of matched typically developing children (n = 104, scans = 244, M/F = 57/47), to determine whether or not sex had differential effects on cortical and subcortical brain development in COS.

Hippocampal volume development in healthy siblings of childhood-onset schizophrenia patients.

Objective: Previous anatomic studies have established a reduction in hippocampal volume in schizophrenia, but few have investigated the progressive course of these changes and whether they are trait markers. In the present study, the authors examined hippocampal volumes in relation to age for patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia, their nonpsychotic healthy siblings, and healthy comparison subjects.

Method: Anatomic brain magnetic resonance scans were obtained in childhood-onset schizophrenia probands (N=89, 198 scans), their nonpsychotic full siblings (N=78, 172 scans), and matched healthy comparison subjects (N=79, 198 scans) between the ages of 10 and 29 years.

Treatment of early-onset schizophrenia.

Purpose Of Review: Treatment of children who develop schizophrenia in childhood and early adolescence presents unique considerations. There has been increasing attention to the importance of early intervention and whether treatment effects may be affected by brain development.

Recent Findings: Several recent trials support the use of antipsychotics for treatment of schizophrenia in children and adolescents.

Effects of clozapine and olanzapine on cortical thickness in childhood-onset schizophrenia.

Background: Little is known about the effects of antipsychotic medications on gray matter (GM) in schizophrenia. Although clozapine remains the most effective antipsychotic medication in treatment-refractory cases, it is unknown whether it has a differential effect on GM development.

Methods: In an exploratory analysis, we used automated cortical thickness measurements and prospectively scanned childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) patients who were maintained on one medication.

Adjunctive use of lithium carbonate for the management of neutropenia in clozapine-treated children.

Objective: Clozapine, a dibenzodiazepine antipsychotic, is the most effective medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, its use has been limited by the high risk of neutropenia. In children, the rate of neutropenia is higher when compared to adults.

General absence of abnormal cortical asymmetry in childhood-onset schizophrenia: a longitudinal study.

Background: Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) is a rare, severe form of the adult-onset illness, with more salient neurobiological causes. Previous cross-sectional structural neuroimaging research has suggested that normal cortical asymmetry patterns [(R-L)/(R+L)] may be altered in adult schizophrenia, although these findings were not well replicated. Recent studies show dynamic changes in brain asymmetry during childhood and adolescence.

Sleep disturbances in childhood-onset schizophrenia.

Sleep disturbances in psychiatric disease have long been reported. However, research on sleep disturbances in child and adolescent psychiatric disorders is limited. We examined the relationship of sleep disturbance to clinical severity and co-morbid diagnoses (e.

Hormonal correlates of clozapine-induced weight gain in psychotic children: an exploratory study.

Objective: Weight gain is a serious side effect of atypical antipsychotics, especially in childhood. In this study, the authors examined six weight gain-related hormones in patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) after 6 weeks of clozapine treatment.

Method: Fasting serum samples for 24 patients with COS and 21 matched healthy controls (HC) were obtained.