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J A Coffman

Publications and source records attributed to J A Coffman.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Interhemispheric differences in regional density of the normal brain.

In a study of regional variations in cerebral X-ray attenuation as measured by computed tomography, a relationship between bone-related beam hardening and lateralized hemispheric density differences was sought. The CT scans of 22 normal right-handed individuals were evaluated by calculating regional mean attenuation values and regional left-right differences in attenuation, comparing these to regional measurements of skull thickness. A statistically insignificant number of significant correlations was found. This is interpreted to mean that observed left-right hemispheric density differences are not due to beam-hardening through bone. It was also found that left-right differences in density persisted over the entirety of the evaluated slices, suggesting that this finding is due to inherent hemispheric structural differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Brain density patterns in schizophrenia and mania.

Regional brain density as measured by X-ray computed tomography was assessed in young schizophrenic (mean age 29.8 years) and manic (mean age 32.7 years) males in order to determine whether this parameter would distinguish between these groups of patients. Our findings reveal similar patterns of interhemispheric density differences in the two groups but significantly greater overall density among manics for the uppermost brain sections studied (16-24 mm above the slice intercepting the body of the lateral ventricles). Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Left hemispheric density deficits in chronic schizophrenia.

Regional determinations of mean cerebral tissue density were made for 50 chronic schizophrenics and compared with results in 24 normal controls. When values for corresponding left and right hemispheric regions were compared, 11 of 12 comparisons showed the left regional value to be significantly greater than the right for controls while only 6 of 12 comparisons among schizophrenics showed left values significantly greater than right. These data suggest an overall decreased relative density of the left cerebral hemisphere in schizophrenia. Further implications of the data are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Brain damage among mentally disordered sex offenders.

The incidence and nature of structural brain dysfunction was investigated in a pilot study sample of individuals currently assigned the Nebraska Penal Code designation of mentally disordered sexual offender. It was hypothesized that the sexual offenders would show a significantly higher incidence of dysfunction than a psychosocially normal group as evidenced by computed tomography scan measures, regional cerebral blood flow, and neuropsychological instruments. The hypothesis was tested by two different methods. One method used a 160 by 160 printout of density numbers generated by computer from computed tomography scans administered to the sexual offenders. The second method used mean blood flow data generated from a Harshaw TASC-5 Regional Cerebral Blood Flow analysis system. Additionally, the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Test Battery was administered as a measure of the behavioral correlates of brain dysfunction. Preliminary analyses indicate that 50% of the sexual offenders tested showed brain dysfunction as demonstrated by decreased density measures, decreased blood flow, and performance deficits on the Luria Battery. The implications of these findings, if confirmed, are substantial on issues of criminal responsibility, sentencing, treatment, and rehabilitation of the sex offender. Case reports of the patients studied are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Effects of long-term neuroleptic use on brain density.

Mean density values of the brain in four quadrants were determined for a sample of 16 chronic schizophrenic patients who had received between 0 and 3,000 grams of lifetime neuroleptics. Significant correlations were found between the measures of density in the posterior quadrants of both hemispheres and total lifetime medication usage. Correlations with anterior density were insignificant. Corrections for age and current severity of the disorder (as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) did not alter the significant finding. Possible explanations for the results are discussed as well as their possible implications.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Midsagittal cerebral anatomy by magnetic resonance imaging. The importance of slice position and thickness.

Several recent studies of psychiatric patients have relied upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate features of cerebral anatomy in the midsagittal plane. Methodologies have varied somewhat in relation to thickness and position of planes of view. Due to concerns over the effects of slice thickness and position on measurements, the authors used a multislice thin plane method to assess these effects in 143 individuals (34 controls, 58 schizophrenics, and 51 with bipolar or schizoaffective disorder). Substantial variance in area measurements attributable to slice position emerged, especially in ventricular, cerebral and cerebellar area. Of greater importance would be the demonstrated interaction of position with diagnosis and sex in measures of several regions. The implications of these findings for MRI studies are discussed.

Adult↗