【Objective】To investigate the changes of the gray matter volumes in patients with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS). 【Methods】 The subjects were 21 patients with EOS (the onset of psychotic symptoms occurred before 18 years of age) and 22 healthy controls (age

sex

and years of received education were no significantly different from those of patients). All the subjects underwent T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging. After transformed with MRIcro software

all the images underwent standardization

segmentation

modulation

and smoothing with Statistical Parametric Mapping 5 (SPM5) software. The gray matter volumes of the two groups underwent two-sample t-test with a Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using SPM5 software. Symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS). 【Results】 EOS patients presented significantly reduced GM volume in the right inferior frontal cortex (MNI: 43

20

-14; cluster = 407 voxels)

left superior frontal cortex (MNI: -28

-3

65; cluster = 176 voxels) and right superior frontal cortex (MNI: 48

-10

54; cluster = 141voxels)

compared with the healthy controls. 【Conclusions】 Volumes of gray matter in EOS were decreased in right inferior and bilateral superior frontal cortex. These abnormal changes may be involved in the neuropathology of schizophrenia.