Brain Deterioration in Young People at Ultrahigh Risk for Psychosis

Schizophrenia is associated with decreased hippocampal volumes, but whether these decreases occur during prodromal illness has been unknown. To fill this knowledge gap, researchers examined data on 93 individuals in Singapore at ultrahigh risk (UHR) for psychosis and 54 healthy controls, all participants in a longitudinal UHR study (mean age, 21; range, 14–29).

There were two UHR groups: 41 individuals who later remitted, and 52 who did not (40 with persistent symptoms and 12 whose symptoms converted to psychosis). Nonremitters and converters were combined for analyses due to the small number of converters. Magnetic resonance imaging and symptom assessments were performed at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months.

At baseline, hippocampal volumes…