RT Journal
A1 Kwon J, McCarley RW, Hirayasu Y, et al
T1 LEft planum temporale volume reduction in schizophrenia
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 1999
FD February 1
VO 56
IS 2
SP 142
OP 148
DO 10.1001/archpsyc.56.2.142
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.56.2.142
AB Background 
    The planum temporale, located on the posterior and superior surface of the temporal lobe, is a brain region thought to be a biological substrate of language and possibly implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. To investigate further the role of planum temporale abnormalities in schizophrenia, we measured gray matter volume underlying the planum temporale from high spatial resolution magnetic resonance imaging techniques.Methods 
    Sixteen male patients with chronic schizophrenia and 16 control subjects were matched for age, sex, handedness, and parental socioeconomic status. Magnetic resonance imaging images were obtained from a 1.5-T magnet.Results 
    Gray matter volume was significantly reduced in the left planum temporale (28.2%) in schizophrenic patients compared with normal controls. Schizophrenic patients showed a reversal of the left greater than right planum temporale asymmetry found in normal controls. Heschl's gyrus (primary auditory cortex) showed no differences between the left and right sides in either group. Of note, the Suspiciousness/Persecution subscale score of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was associated with reduced left planum temporale volume in schizophrenic patients.Conclusions 
    Patients with schizophrenia have reduced left planum temporale gray matter and a reversal of planum temporale asymmetry, which may underlie an impairment in language processing and symptoms of suspiciousness or persecution characteristic of schizophrenia.