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Searching the schizophrenic brain for temporal lobe deficits: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2000

K. K. ZAKZANIS
Affiliation:
Division of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
P. POULIN
Affiliation:
Division of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
K. T. HANSEN
Affiliation:
Division of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
D. JOLIC
Affiliation:
Division of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Department of Psychology, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Background. Several empirical studies have found temporal lobe impairments in many patients with schizophrenia. The strength and consistency of this evidence, however, has not been evaluated and synthesized quantitatively. Hence, we ask to what extent are temporal cortices really defective in schizophrenia?

Methods. Meta-analytical methods were used to determine the magnitude of evidence in support of structural and physiological temporal–hippocampal system deficits in schizophrenia. We report effect sizes from studies since 1980 that used structural (CT, MRI) and functional (SPECT, PET) neuroimaging methods.

Results. Both structural and functional imaging literatures are distinguished by heterogeneity whereby most patients show normative temporal function and structure, a minority shows diminished values and some patients demonstrate augmented function and structure rather than a deficit.

Conclusions. The findings are hard to incorporate within single disease models that propose major involvement of the temporal system in schizophrenia, at least at the degree of resolution obtained with current imaging technology.

Type
REVIEW ARTICLE
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

This paper was presented as a poster at the 1999 annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA on 20 August 1999.