Grey matter abnormalities in Brazilians with first-episode psychosis

Background In low- and middle-income countries people with schizophrenia are reported to experience better outcomes than those in high-income countries. Aims To examine structural brain differences in people with first-episode psychosis and controls in Brazil. Method Magnetic resonance imaging using voxel-based morphometry was performed on 122 people with first-episode psychosis and 94 controls. Results There were significant decreases in grey matter in the left superior temporal and inferior prefrontal cortices, insula bilaterally and the right hippocampal region in first-episode psychosis (P < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons). The subgroup of people with schizophrenia (n=62) exhibited a similar pattern of decrease in grey matter relative to controls. Conclusions Structural abnormalities reported in psychosis in high-income countries are also present in first-episode psychosis in Brazil. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.