Hypophysis

Abnormalities in Schizophrenia and Other Diseases
A large number of abnormalities have been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid in schizophrenia. One abnormality is that hydrocephalus, or enlarged ventricles have been repeatedly reported for more than a century, dating back to Hecker of the 19th century (in Germany). A British group reported a toxic factor in the cerebrospinal fluid in both schizophrenia and Huntington's chorea. An American group reported two abnormal proteins in the CSF of schizophrenics.

This clipart is from Yahoo! Reference. It shows the hypophysis cerebri, also called the pituitary gland. This is an endocrine gland located in the brain.

This clipart is again from Yahoo! Reference. The hypophysis is located near the base of the brain. An abnormality can lead to Cushing's syndrome, which has psychiatric symptoms as well as physical symptoms. The hypophysis secretes ACTH, which is an important hormone that acts on the adrenal glands. Also the brain tissue adjacent to the ventricles is near the base of the brain since the ventricles are close to the base. Thus the base of the brain is suspected in schizophrenia. The basal ganglia are near the base of the brain.

Again the clipart is from Yahoo Reference. Shown here are the ventricles, which are enlarged in schizophrenia. A study has found that this enlargement is progressive, refuting the popular developmental theory. The developmental theory claims that it is a birth defect which occurs in the womb. The neurodegenerative theory involves loss of tissue due to cell deaths.

Shown here is Dr. Harvey Cushing, the famous neurosurgeon. Cushing described the disease in 1913 that is now named after him. There was excessive ACTH production in the pituitary gland which caused various symptom, including depression. The excess ACTH caused metabolic errors in the brain.

This drawing of the meninges is from Arthur's Medical Clipart. Arthur scans very old medical books and journals where the copyright has expired. Arthur is located in South Africa. The meninges are infected in meningitis.

This clipart is again from Yahoo! Reference. It shows the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle in a coronal section. These ventricles house cerebrospinal fluid. The lateral ventricles are enlarged in schizophrenia, suggesting tissue loss from adjacent structures.

This is yet another clipart from Yahoo! Reference. Shown in yellow are the visual areas of the brain. This engraving shows the localization of various functions of the brain.

This stamp honors the late Dr. Harvey Cushing, a brilliant American neurosurgeon. Cushing's disease is named after him. Cushing's disease involves excessive hormones. Some of the symptoms are psychiatric.

Shown here is a drawing of a cast of the ventricular cavities as viewed from above. These cavities house the cerebrospinal fluid. The drawing is a century old.

Here is another drawing of a cast of the ventricular cavities. This is a view from the side, taken from a century old version of Gray's Anatomy. These cavities are enlarged in schizophrenia and in Alzheimer's disease due to tissue loss. The cavities are mostly near the base of the brain, bathing primitive structures.