MichaelA. Reveley

CEREBRAL VENTRICULAR SIZE IN TWINS DISCORDANT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA

Comparison of the computerised tomographic scans of 11 pairs of healthy monozygotic (MZ) with those of 8 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins showed that ventricular size for seven pairs of MZ twins discordant for schizophrenia was not as high as in normal MZ twins. Furthermore, the schizophrenics had significantly larger ventricles than both control twins and their own co-twins, although there was a non-significant trend for their co-twins also to have larger ventricles than the controls. Some common environmental factor, possibly perinatal damage, may have led to the increase in ventricular size in the schizophrenia-discordant pairs, with schizophrenia developing in the more severely affected twin.

Agenesis of the corpus callosum and schizophrenia: a case report

Clinical, radiological and neuropsychological findings in the first reported case of schizophrenia with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum are described. Although causal inferences were made difficult by the co-existence of a left frontotemporal cyst and a family history of affective disorder, some theories of the role of callosal dysfunction in schizophrenia require revision in the light of this case.

INCREASED CEREBRAL VENTRICULAR VOLUME IN MONOZYGOTIC TWINS DISCORDANT FOR ALCOHOLISM

21 pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for alcoholism and heavy drinking were examined by computerised tomography. Brain and ventricular volumes were calculated by the use of a semiautomated method with the rater blind to twinship and drinking history. 11 severely dependent alcoholics had larger ventricular volumes and ventricle/brain ratios than did their normal cotwins. These changes correlated best with the length of time the alcoholic twin had been drinking eight centilitres pure alcohol, equivalent to a bottle of wine, a day.

ENLARGEMENT OF CEREBRAL VENTRICLES IN SCHIZOPHRENICS IS CONFINED TO THOSE WITHOUT KNOWN GENETIC PREDISPOSITION

had bone lead not detectable on XRF but raised blood lead values (mean 2 6 &micro;mol/1). Their sniffing may have been recent so that bone lead had not reached detectable levels. Mean hair lead also differed significantly between sniffers and non-sl11ffers (n=118, t=8-35; p<0.001) with means of 23 and 12.4 ppm, respectively. The present results indicate a need for chelation therapy in many of these young subjects because of high blood leads. Chelation is not likely to lower bone lead significantly. So far, Aboriginal authorities have refused to add mercaptanes to petrol used locally, to make it unfit for inhalation.