Prefrontal cortical sulcal widening associated with poor treatment response to clozapine

Schizophr Res. 2001 Mar 30;48(2-3):173-6. doi: 10.1016/s0920-9964(00)00130-4.

Abstract

Increased sulcal widening in the prefrontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia may be associated with a poor treatment response to clozapine. To further evaluate this, we examined data from patients treated with clozapine in our center. Patients with the greatest degree of improvement (n=26) and those with no improvement (n=10) were compared. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were rated blindly on a visual scale of prefrontal sulcal widening. Patients with the greatest degree of functional improvement had significantly less prefrontal sulcal widening than those whose symptoms remained unchanged. There was no relationship between clozapine response and general sulcal widening. These data support the link between the superior therapeutic efficacy of clozapine and the integrity of the prefrontal cortex.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Atrophy / pathology
  • Clozapine / administration & dosage
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prefrontal Cortex* / abnormalities
  • Prefrontal Cortex* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prefrontal Cortex* / pathology
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Clozapine