Subcortical volume reduction and cortical thinning 3 months after switching to clozapine in treatment resistant schizophrenia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The neurobiological effects of clozapine are under characterised. We examined the effects clozapine treatment on subcortical volume and cortical thickness and investigated whether macrostructural changes were linked to alterations in glutamate or N-acetylaspartate (NAA). Data were acquired in 24 patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia before and 12 weeks after switching to clozapine. During clozapine treatment we observed reductions in caudate and putamen volume, lateral ventricle enlargement (P < 0.001), and reductions in thickness of the left inferior temporal cortex, left caudal middle frontal cortex, and the right temporal pole. Reductions in right caudate volume were associated with local reductions in NAA (P = 0.002). None of the morphometric changes were associated with changes in glutamate levels. These results indicate that clozapine treatment is associated with subcortical volume loss and cortical thinning and that at least some of these effects are linked to changes in neuronal or metabolic integrity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number13
JournalNPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA
Volume8
Issue number1
Early online date2 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Mar 2022

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Subcortical volume reduction and cortical thinning 3 months after switching to clozapine in treatment resistant schizophrenia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this