The evaluation of hippocampus, corpus amygdaloideum and nucleus accumbens volumes by using magnetic resonance images in schizoprenia patients

Objective: Schizophrenia is a complex brain disease that shows a clinical course in which all functions of the brain could be affected due to the deterioration of feelings, thoughts, perceptions and cognitive functions. Hippocampus, corpus amygdaloideum and nucleus accumbens are the most important structures of the limbic system which have the key roles in these functions. In this study, it is aimed to compare the values of hippocampus, corpus amygdaloideum and nucleus accumbens volumes measured by using cranial magnetic resonance images of schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals. Methods: In this study 51 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-IVTR criteria at psychiatry polyclinic and 42 healthy subjects were enrolled. Hippocampus, corpus amygdaloideum and nucleus accumbens volume values were measured with online automatically program named VolBrain by using the cranial magnetic resonance images of the control and case groups in which including both females and males Results: The hippocampus, corpus amygdaloideum and nucleus accumbens volume values measured of schizophrenia group were found similar as the control group. According to gender evaluation, in the male group, it was found that the hippocampus and corpus amygdaloideum volume values were significantly lower in patients. Conclusion: Structural changes such as reductions in hippocampus and corpus amygdaloideum volume values may lead to the development of positive, negative and characteristic symptoms in schizophrenia. Keywords: Hippocampus, corpus amygdaloideum and nucleus accumbens volumes, schizophrenia, magnetic resonance imaging, VolBrain