Multiple brain scans > age 13.5 to 18
•Study Design:
•12 children with Childhood Onset Schizophrenia
•(onset of symptoms before age 12)
•all had histories of poor response to / intolerance
•of at least two typical antipsychotic
•
•10 children with transient psychosis
•mood and behavioral problems
•
•12 age & gender matched  “normal” controls
•
•Psychiatric patients received treatment with the following antipsychotic
•drugs:  risperidone, olanzapine, or clozapine.
The study compared the neurodevelopment of three groups of children as they matured from the ages of 13.5 to 18 years.

In this specific protocol, individual brain scan changes were “pooled” to create a database for each group.   Computer software was used to create colorful graphics which reflected shrinkage (atrophy) of the cortical surface of the brain.   [Recall the Tootsie Roll lollipop candy coating = cortical surface].

Group One:     12 children with Childhood Onset Schizophrenia --                           all of these children had histories of negative responses to at      least two conventional (first generation) antipsychotics

Group Two:     12 age-matched, gender-matched non-psychiatric controls

Group Three:   10 children with Psychosis Not Otherwise Specified --       these children displayed mood and/or behavioral problems but      never met the DSM criteria for schizophrenia; these children      had also failed at least 2 trials of first-generation drugs