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Hypothyroidism as a Correlate of Lateral Ventricular Enlargement in Manic-Depressive and Neurotic Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Eve C. Johnstone*
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Centre, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HAI 3UJ
D. G. C. Owens
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Centre
T. J. Crow
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Centre
N. Colter
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Centre
Claire A. Lawton
Affiliation:
Division of Psychiatry, Clinical Research Centre
R. Jagoe
Affiliation:
Division of Computing and Statistics, Clinical Research, Centre
L. Kreel
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Newborn District General Hospital, London, E13
*
Correspondence

Abstract

Lateral ventricular size, as assessed by computed tomography, was not significantly greater in manic-depressive cases than in neurotic patients, but 19% of manic-depressive cases had ventricular brain ratios (VBR) more than two standard deviations above the neurotic mean. Few correlates of VBR were found in the features of the illness and the treatment given, apart from the fact that in the outpatient sample, there was a significant association between increased VBR and hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism was relatively common in this sample, but was treated and not associated with cognitive impairment. There was no relationship between lithium administration and VBR.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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