Brain ventricular volume changes in schizophrenia. A narrative review.

ABSTRACT

Brain ventricles are among the most studied structures in psychotic illness. In our mini-review we present available evidence on brain ventricle changes during the course of schizophrenia, from high-risk subjects and the first episode of schizophrenia to patients with chronic schizophrenia. We present current findings on the relationship between ventricle changes and level of psychopathology. The potential pathophysiological background of ventricle changes is also discussed. Understanding the dynamics of brain ventricle changes could resolve long-standing questions on the proportion of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental processes in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.