Long-term antipsychotic and benzodiazepine use and brain volume changes in schizophrenia: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study

High doses of antipsychotics have been associated with loss in cortical and total gray matter in schizophrenia. However, previous imaging studies have not taken benzodiazepine use into account, in spite of evidence suggesting adverse effects such as cognitive impairment and increased mortality. In this Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study, 69 controls and 38 individuals with schizophrenia underwent brain MRI at the ages of 34 and 43 years. At baseline, the average illness duration was over 10 years.

Source: Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging - May 20, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Sanna Huhtaniska, Erika J ääskeläinen, Tuomas Heikka, Jani S. Moilanen, Heli Lehtiniemi, Jussi Tohka, José V. Manjón, Pierrick Coupé, Lassi Björnholm, Hannu Koponen, Juha Veijola, Matti Isohanni, Vesa Kiviniemi, Graham K. Murray, Jouko Miettunen Source Type: research