Subcortical volume alteration and correlation with social function under chlorpromazine versus clozapine treatment in schizophrenia.

Background: This investigation examines the differences in subcortical volume between schizophrenia patients treated with chlorpromazine (CPZ) or clozapine (CLZ) and healthy controls and examines how these antipsychotic treatments affect brain structure.

Methods: Structural MRI (3T) was used to assess subcortical volumes in 24 CPZ-treated patients, 24 CLZ-treated patients, and 24 healthy controls. Clinical symptoms and social function were evaluated using PANSS and SSPI scales. Correlate and predictive analyses were performed to explore the relationship between the volume of subcortical structures and social functioning.

Results: Analysis revealed a significant increase in pallidum and putamen volumes in the CPZ group compared to both the CLZ group and healthy controls. Thalamic volume was not significantly different between the CPZ and CLZ groups but was reduced compared to controls. Exploratory analysis suggested an association between total thalamic volume and social function in the CPZ group, though this finding did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. According to the predictive analysis, only the whole thalamus and bilateral thalamus volume showed statistically significant effects on prediction of SSPI scores.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that distinct neuroanatomical differences may be associated with various antipsychotic treatments in schizophrenia. These subcortical alterations may reflect differential pharmacological effects, and thalamic volume could represent a potential neuroimaging marker related to social function.