Key result
Quantitative computer-based CAT scan analysis revealed no significant differences in ventricular volume or brain density between children with neuropsychiatric disorders and medical control patients.
Why the study?
Does computed tomographic brain scanning reveal differences in ventricular volume and brain density between children with neuropsychiatric disorders and medical controls?
Case-Control (n=86)
Blinded assessors
Does computed tomographic brain scanning reveal differences in ventricular volume and brain density between children with neuropsychiatric disorders and medical controls?
Quantitative CAT scanning did not identify structural brain differences in ventricular volume or brain density among children with specific neuropsychiatric disorders compared to medical controls.
CAT scans do not support routine structural assessment in pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders; leaves open need for sensitive modalities in research.
CAT scans were performed in 66 patients with neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood (infantile autism, attention deficit disorder, Tourette's disorder, and language disorder) and a control group of 20 medical patients. Ventricular volume and brain density were determined by quantitative, computer-based methods by researchers blind to the patients' diagnoses. There were no significant differences among diagnostic groups or between neuropsychiatric patients and medical control patients in total ventricular volume, right-left ventricular volume ratio, ventricular asymmetries, ventricle-brain ratios, or brain density.
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Harcherik et al. (1985) conducted a case-control in Neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood (n=86). Computed tomographic (CAT) brain scanning vs. Medical control patients was evaluated on Ventricular volume, right-left ventricular volume ratio, ventricular asymmetries, ventricle-brain ratios, and brain density. Quantitative computer-based CAT scan analysis revealed no significant differences in ventricular volume or brain density between children with neuropsychiatric disorders and medical control patients.
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