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Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
Correspondence: Rachel G.H. Brans, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, A01.126, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. Email: R.Brans{at}azu.nl
None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.
To investigate whether genetic and/or disease-related factors are involved in progressive structural brain changes in schizophrenia, magnetic resonance imaging scans with a 5-year scan interval were acquired in patients, their same-gender siblings and matched healthy controls. Structural equation modelling was applied to assess disease and familial effects. Whole brain and cerebral grey matter volumes decreased excessively in patients compared with their siblings and the controls, suggesting that the progressive brain loss in schizophrenia may be related to the disease process.
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