What is the primary physical finding associated with cortical changes in schizophrenia?

Cortical atrophy is the primary physical finding associated with cortical changes in schizophrenia. This condition reflects a reduction in the size of brain regions, particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes, which can be observed through neuroimaging studies. The atrophy is thought to relate to the cognitive deficits and other neuropsychiatric symptoms often seen in individuals with schizophrenia. This finding indicates a loss of neurons and their connections in specific areas of the brain, contributing to the overall pathology of the disorder.

The other options, such as cortical hyperplasia, calcification, and hypertrophy, describe different processes that do not typically occur in schizophrenia. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells, calcification involves the accumulation of calcium salts, and hypertrophy means an increase in the size of existing cells. These processes are not characteristic of the neuroanatomical changes seen in schizophrenia, which is more closely associated with neuronal loss and decreased brain volume rather than an increase in cell number or size.