Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

Table of Contents - 01 March 2009 - Volume 15, Issue 02  

Research Articles

Hippocampus volume and episodic memory in schizophrenia

ROBERT J. THOMAa1a2a3 c1, MOLLIE MONNIGa2a3, FAITH M. HANLONa1a2, GREGORY A. MILLERa4, HELEN PETROPOULOSa5, ANDREW R. MAYERa2, RON YEOa2a3, MATT EULERa2a3, PER LYSNEa2a3, SANDRA N. MOSESa6 and JOSE M. CAÑIVEa1a7

a1 Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico

a2 MIND Research Network (MRN), Albuquerque, New Mexico

a3 Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

a4 Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry, and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

a5 Neuroimaging Research Group, Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

a6 Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

a7 New Mexico Veteran Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS), Albuquerque, New Mexico

Abstract

Previous studies of schizophrenia have suggested a linkage between neuropsychological (NP) deficits and hippocampus abnormality. The relationship between hippocampus volume and NP functioning was investigated in 24 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 24 matched healthy controls. Overall intracranial, white and gray matter, and anterior (AH) and posterior (PH) hippocampus volumes were assessed from magnetic resonance images (MRI). NP domains of IQ, attention, and executive function were also evaluated with respect to volumetric measures. It was hypothesized that AH and PH volumes and episodic memory scores would be positively associated in controls and that the schizophrenia group would depart from this normative pattern. NP functioning was impaired overall and AH volume was smaller in the schizophrenia group. In the controls, the hippocampus–memory relationships involved AH and PH, and correlations were significant for verbal memory measures. In the schizophrenia group, positive correlations were constrained to PH. Negative correlations emerged between AH and verbal and visual memory measures. For both groups, cortical volume negatively correlated with age, but a negative correlation between age and hippocampus volume was found only in the schizophrenia group. In this sample of adults with schizophrenia, atypical relationships between regional hippocampus volumes and episodic memory ability were found, as was an atypical negative association between hippocampus volume and age. (JINS, 2009, 15, 182–195.)

(Received April 02 2008)

(Reviewed October 17 2008)

(Accepted October 17 2008)

Keywords

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence and reprint requests to: Robert J. Thoma, Ph.D., Center for Neuropsychological Services, MSC 11 6094, 1 University of New Mexico, 915 Vassar NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131. E-mail: rjthoma@salud.unm.edu

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