Evidence of disturbed CSF circulation and brain atrophy in cases of schizophrenic psychosis.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation was studied with isotope cisternography in 30 patients with a schizophrenic type of psychosis. All had previously received neuroleptic treatment. Disturbed CSF circulation was found in 10 cases. In four of these, persistent intraventricular radioactivity was observed as well as partly obstructed CSF spaces. In the other six cases a slow CSF circulation was noted as well as evidence of partly obstructed CSF spaces especially of the upper posterior frontal region. Signs of atrophy of the cortex and vermis were found on CT scan in 10 cases. In four of these subjects a local atrophy was noticed in the upper posterior frontal cortex and around the frontal part of the interhemispheric fissure. Seventeen of the patients (57 per cent) had pathological findings at isotope cisternography and/or at CT. Disturbed circulation did not correlate with CT-findings, age, duration of psychosis, alcohol abuse, drug consumption or family history for psychosis. CT evidence of brain atrophy was significantly related to nonfamilial type of psychosis.