Quote:
Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard
You can't identify schizophrenia from a MRI. There are definite structural differences that are seen across populations but that can't be used to make a diagnosis on an individual level.
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It can help in correlation. Research in the area has been going on for more than a decade and brain scans are valuable in identifying potential abnormalities. You speak as if what I suggested is completely imaginary when the science is constantly being worked on. If as it is claimed that he is schizophrenic there are multiple brain structures that are potentially impacted.
Effected brain areas include the amygdala, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus, and neocortical temporal lobe regions.
These findings include ventricular enlargement (80% of studies reviewed) and third ventricle enlargement (73% of studies reviewed). There is also preferential involvement of medial temporal lobe structures (74% of studies reviewed), which include the amygdala, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus, and neocortical temporal lobe regions (superior temporal gyrus) (100% of studies reviewed). When gray and white matter of superior temporal gyrus was combined, 67% of studies reported abnormalities.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...20996401001633
Conclusions: The results suggest differences in affected limbic structures in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These specific neuroanatomic abnormalities may shed light on the underlying pathophysiology and presentation of the two disorders.
Results: Hippocampal volumes were significantly smaller in the schizophrenic group than in both bipolar and normal comparison subjects. Further, amygdala volumes were significantly larger in the bipolar group than in both schizophrenic and normal comparison subjects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10903411
When doctors suspect someone has schizophrenia, they typically ask for medical and psychiatric histories, conduct a physical exam, and run medical and psychological tests, including:
Tests and screenings. These may include a lab test called a complete blood count (CBC), other blood tests that may help rule out conditions with similar symptoms, and screening for alcohol and drugs. The doctor may also request imaging studies, such as an MRI or CT scan.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...s/con-20021077
MRIs and CTs are used on an individual level in conjunction with DSM criteria.