How age effects the Brains of Schizophrenics

Scientists have done a recent study on the loss of gray matter in the schizophrenic brain of males over time. They tested two groups of men, one group with and one group without schizophrenia, over intervals of four years. The schizophrenic group lost on average 3% of gray matter per year, compared to less than 1% for the control group (science daily.com, 2001). Another study using MRI scans on two groups of male adolescents found that the gray matter loss starts in the parietal lobe. It then spreads to the sensory cortex and the supplementary motor cortex, in the frontal lobes, as well as the parts of the temporal lobes. It continues to progress to the prefrontal dorsolateral cortex and the superior temporal gyri. The superior temporal gyri is the most important part of the brain for making sense of what we hear (Kolb, 1998).

[Image from: http://www. schizophrenia.com/disease.htm]

The scientists also discovered that schizophrenics lost, on average, 20% of their gray matter in the most affected areas over the four-year intervals. The group without schizophrenia lost only 1% per year. The frontal and temporal lobes lost the most gray matter. Further, the amount of gray matter loss is greater over time (Thompson, et al). These studies show the progression of the disease and indicate that severity of symptoms are greater at younger onset.

Some of the early signs of schizophrenia are mild problems co-ordinating movements and visually tracking objects. This is because the parietal lobe and the sensory and supplementary motor cortexes are damaged by loss of gray matter early in the illness.