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Liang L, Heinrichs RW, Liddle PF, Jeon P, Théberge J, Palaniyappan L. Cortical impoverishment in a stable subgroup of schizophrenia: Validation across various stages of psychosis. Schizophr Res 2024; 264:567-577. [PMID: 35644706 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortical thinning is a well-known feature in schizophrenia. The considerable variation in the spatial distribution of thickness changes has been used to parse heterogeneity. A 'cortical impoverishment' subgroup with a generalized reduction in thickness has been reported. However, it is unclear if this subgroup is recoverable irrespective of illness stage, and if it relates to the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia. METHODS We applied hierarchical cluster analysis to cortical thickness data from magnetic resonance imaging scans of three datasets in different stages of psychosis (n = 288; 160 patients; 128 healthy controls) and studied the cognitive and symptom profiles of the observed subgroups. In one of the samples, we also studied the subgroup differences in 7-Tesla magnetic resonance spectroscopy glutamate concentration in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. RESULTS Our consensus-based clustering procedure consistently produced 2 subgroups of participants. Patients accounted for 75%-100% of participants in one subgroup that was characterized by significantly lower cortical thickness. Both subgroups were equally symptomatic in clinically unstable stages, but cortical impoverishment indicated a higher symptom burden in a clinically stable sample and higher glutamate levels in the first-episode sample. There were no subgroup differences in cognitive and functional outcome profiles or antipsychotic exposure across all stages. CONCLUSIONS Cortical thinning does not vary with functioning or cognitive impairment, but it is more prevalent among patients, especially those with glutamate excess in early stages and higher residual symptom burden at later stages, providing an important mechanistic clue to one of the several possible pathways to the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangbing Liang
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Peter F Liddle
- Institute of Mental Health, Division of Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter Jeon
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean Théberge
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lena Palaniyappan
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada; Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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2
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Pace B, Holtzer R, Wagshul ME. Gray matter volume and within-task verbal fluency performance among older adults. Brain Cogn 2023; 166:105960. [PMID: 36868129 PMCID: PMC10257804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.105960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined the relationship between gray matter volume (GMV) and rate of word generation over the course of three consecutive 20-sec intervals in 60-sec letter and category verbal fluency (VF) tasks. Attenuated rate of within-person word generation in VF provides incremental information beyond total scores and predicts increased risk of incident Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). No studies to date, however, have determined the structural neural substrates underlying word generation rate in VF. Participants were 70 community-residing adults ≥ 65 years, who completed the letter and category VF tasks and a 3 T structural MRI scan. Linear mixed effects models (LMEMs) were used to determine the moderating effect of GMV on word generation rate. Whole brain voxel-wise LMEMs, adjusted for age, gender, education, Wide-Range Achievement Test - reading subtest score (WRAT3), and global health score, were run using permutation methods to correct for multiple comparisons. Lower GMV, primarily in frontal regions (superior frontal, rostral middle frontal, frontal pole, medial orbitofrontal, and pars orbitalis), were related to attenuated word generation rate, especially for letter VF. We propose that lower frontal GMV underlies inefficient executive word search processes reflected by attenuated word generation slope in letter VF amongst older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Pace
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1165 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10461, United States.
| | - Roee Holtzer
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1165 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10461, United States; Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10416, United States.
| | - Mark E Wagshul
- Department of Radiology, Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1250 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10461, United States; Physiology and Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, The Bronx, NY 10416, United States.
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3
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Demro C, Shen C, Hendrickson TJ, Arend JL, Disner SG, Sponheim SR. Advanced Brain-Age in Psychotic Psychopathology: Evidence for Transdiagnostic Neurodevelopmental Origins. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:872867. [PMID: 35527740 PMCID: PMC9074783 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.872867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormal brain structure such as global reductions in gray matter volume. Machine learning models trained to estimate the age of brains from structural neuroimaging data consistently show advanced brain-age to be associated with schizophrenia. Yet, it is unclear whether advanced brain-age is specific to schizophrenia compared to other psychotic disorders, and whether evidence that brain structure is "older" than chronological age actually reflects neurodevelopmental rather than atrophic processes. It is also unknown whether advanced brain-age is associated with genetic liability for psychosis carried by biological relatives of people with schizophrenia. We used the Brain-Age Regression Analysis and Computation Utility Software (BARACUS) prediction model and calculated the residualized brain-age gap of 332 adults (163 individuals with psychotic disorders: 105 schizophrenia, 17 schizoaffective disorder, 41 bipolar I disorder with psychotic features; 103 first-degree biological relatives; 66 controls). The model estimated advanced brain-ages for people with psychosis in comparison to controls and relatives, with no differences among psychotic disorders or between relatives and controls. Specifically, the model revealed an enlarged brain-age gap for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Advanced brain-age was associated with lower cognitive and general functioning in the full sample. Among relatives, cognitive performance and schizotypal symptoms were related to brain-age gap, suggesting that advanced brain-age is associated with the subtle expressions associated with psychosis. Exploratory longitudinal analyses suggested that brain aging was not accelerated in individuals with a psychotic disorder. In sum, we found that people with psychotic disorders, irrespective of specific diagnosis or illness severity, show indications of non-progressive, advanced brain-age. These findings support a transdiagnostic, neurodevelopmental formulation of structural brain abnormalities in psychotic psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Demro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Chen Shen
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | | - Jessica L. Arend
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Seth G. Disner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Scott R. Sponheim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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4
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Oomen PP, Gangadin SS, Begemann MJH, Visser E, Mandl RCW, Sommer IEC. The neurobiological characterization of distinct cognitive subtypes in early-phase schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Schizophr Res 2022; 241:228-237. [PMID: 35176721 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cognitive deficits are present in some, but not all patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SSD). We and others have demonstrated three cognitive clusters: cognitively intact patients, patients with deficits in a few domains and those with global cognitive deficits. This study aimed to identify cognitive subtypes of early-phase SSD with matched controls as a reference group, and evaluated cognitive subgroups regarding clinical and brain volumetric measures. METHODS Eighty-six early-phase SSD patients were included. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted using global performance on the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Cognitive subgroups were subsequently related to clinical and brain volumetric measures (cortical, subcortical and cortical thickness) using ANCOVA. RESULTS Three distinct cognitive clusters emerged: relative to controls we found one cluster of patients with preserved cognition (n = 25), one moderately impaired cluster (n = 38) and one severely impaired cluster (n = 23). Cognitive subgroups were characterized by differences in volume of the left postcentral gyrus, left middle caudal frontal gyrus and left insula, while differences in cortical thickness were predominantly found in fronto-parietal regions. No differences were demonstrated in subcortical brain volume. DISCUSSION Current results replicate the existence of three distinct cognitive subgroups including one relatively large group with preserved cognitive function. Cognitive subgroups were characterized by differences in cortical regional brain volume and cortical thickness, suggesting associations with cortical, but not subcortical development and cognitive functioning such as attention, executive functions and speed of processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Oomen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - S S Gangadin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - M J H Begemann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - E Visser
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - R C W Mandl
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - I E C Sommer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Section Cognitive Neurosciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Veselinović T, Neuner I. Progress and Pitfalls in Developing Agents to Treat Neurocognitive Deficits Associated with Schizophrenia. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:819-858. [PMID: 35831706 PMCID: PMC9345797 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00935-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) represent a central element of the symptomatology of this severe mental disorder. CIAS substantially determine the disease prognosis and hardly, if at all, respond to treatment with currently available antipsychotics. Remarkably, all drugs presently approved for the treatment of schizophrenia are, to varying degrees, dopamine D2/D3 receptor blockers. In turn, rapidly growing evidence suggests the immense significance of systems other than the dopaminergic system in the genesis of CIAS. Accordingly, current efforts addressing the unmet needs of patients with schizophrenia are primarily based on interventions in other non-dopaminergic systems. In this review article, we provide a brief overview of the available evidence on the importance of specific systems in the development of CIAS. In addition, we describe the promising targets for the development of new drugs that have been used so far. In doing so, we present the most important candidates that have been investigated in the field of the specific systems in recent years and present a summary of the results available at the time of drafting this review (May 2022), as well as the currently ongoing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Veselinović
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 4, INM-4, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
| | - Irene Neuner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine 4, INM-4, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- JARA-BRAIN, Aachen, Germany
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6
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Zhao Q, Li J, Xiao Y, Cao H, Wang X, Zhang W, Li S, Liao W, Gong Q, Lui S. Distinct neuroanatomic subtypes in antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia classified by the predefined classification in a never-treated sample. PSYCHORADIOLOGY 2021; 1:212-224. [PMID: 38666223 PMCID: PMC11025559 DOI: 10.1093/psyrad/kkab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Distinct neuroanatomic subtypes have been identified in never-treated patients with schizophrenia based on cerebral structural abnormalities, but whether antipsychotic-treated patients would be stratified under the guidance of such previously formed classification remains unclear. Objective The present study aimed to investigate alterations of brain structures in antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia based on a predefined morphological classification and their relationships with cognitive performance. Methods Cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume were extracted from 147 antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia using structural magnetic resonance imaging for classification. The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess cognition and symptoms. Results Antipsychotic-treated patients were categorized into three subtypes with distinct patterns of brain morphological alterations. Subtypes 1 and 2 were characterized by widespread deficits in cortical thickness but relatively limited deficits in surface area. In contrast, subtype 3 demonstrated cortical thickening mainly in parietal-occipital regions and widespread deficits in surface area. All three subgroups demonstrated cognitive deficits compared with healthy controls. Significant associations between neuroanatomic and cognitive abnormalities were only observed in subtype 1, where cortical thinning in the left lingual gyrus was conversely related to symbol coding performance. Conclusions Similar to drug-naïve patients, neuroanatomic heterogeneity exists in antipsychotic-treated patients, with disparate associations with cognition. These findings promote our understanding of relationships between neuroanatomic abnormalities and cognitive performance in the context of heterogeneity. Moreover, these results suggest that neurobiological heterogeneity needs to be considered in cognitive research in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiannan Zhao
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiao Li
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Yuan Xiao
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hengyi Cao
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030, United States
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY 11004, United States
| | - Xiao Wang
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Siyi Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Liao
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation, High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Su Lui
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Kraljević N, Schaare HL, Eickhoff SB, Kochunov P, Yeo BTT, Kharabian Masouleh S, Valk SL. Behavioral, Anatomical and Heritable Convergence of Affect and Cognition in Superior Frontal Cortex. Neuroimage 2021; 243:118561. [PMID: 34506912 PMCID: PMC8526801 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive abilities and affective experience are key human traits that are interrelated in behavior and brain. Individual variation of cognitive and affective traits, as well as brain structure, has been shown to partly underlie genetic effects. However, to what extent affect and cognition have a shared genetic relationship with local brain structure is incompletely understood. Here we studied phenotypic and genetic correlations of cognitive and affective traits in behavior and brain structure (cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volumes) in the pedigree-based Human Connectome Project sample (N = 1091). Both cognitive and affective trait scores were highly heritable and showed significant phenotypic correlation on the behavioral level. Cortical thickness in the left superior frontal cortex showed a phenotypic association with both affect and cognition. Decomposing the phenotypic correlations into genetic and environmental components showed that the associations were accounted for by shared genetic effects between the traits. Quantitative functional decoding of the left superior frontal cortex further indicated that this region is associated with cognitive and emotional functioning. This study provides a multi-level approach to study the association between affect and cognition and suggests a convergence of both in superior frontal cortical thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevena Kraljević
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - H Lina Schaare
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Otto Hahn group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstr. 1A, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Kochunov
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - B T Thomas Yeo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Centre for Sleep and Cognition, Centre for Translational MR Research, N.1 Institute for Health and Institute for Digital Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shahrzad Kharabian Masouleh
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sofie L Valk
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7: Brain and Behaviour), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Otto Hahn group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstr. 1A, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
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8
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Cao C, Wang Q, Yu H, Yang H, Li Y, Guo M, Huo H, Fan G. Morphological Changes in Cortical and Subcortical Structures in Multiple System Atrophy Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:649051. [PMID: 33833672 PMCID: PMC8021693 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.649051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the morphometric alterations in the cortical and subcortical structures in multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to explore the association with cognitive deficits. Methods A total of 45 MSA patients (25 MSA-only, 20 MSA-MCI) and 29 healthy controls were recruited. FreeSurfer software was used to analyze cortical thickness, and voxel-based morphometry was used to analyze the gray matter volumes. Cortical thickness and gray matter volume changes were correlated with cognitive scores. Results Compared to healthy controls, both MSA subgroups exhibited widespread morphology alterations of brain structures in the fronto-temporal regions. Direct comparison of MSA-MCI and MSA-only patients showed volume reduction in the left superior and middle temporal gyrus, while cortical thinning was found in the left middle and inferior temporal gyrus in MSA-MCI patients. Cortical thinning in the left middle temporal gyrus correlated with cognitive assessment and disease duration. Conclusion Structural changes in the brain occur in MSA-MCI patients. The alteration of brain structure in the left temporal regions might be a biomarker of cognitive decline in MSA-MCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghao Cao
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Radiology, Liaoning Thtombus Treatment Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongmei Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Huaguang Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingmei Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Miaoran Guo
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Huaibi Huo
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guoguang Fan
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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9
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Alkan E, Davies G, Evans SL. Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: relationships with cortical thickness in fronto-temporal regions, and dissociability from symptom severity. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2021; 7:20. [PMID: 33737508 PMCID: PMC7973472 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-021-00149-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairments are a core and persistent characteristic of schizophrenia with implications for daily functioning. These show only limited response to antipsychotic treatment and their neural basis is not well characterised. Previous studies point to relationships between cortical thickness and cognitive performance in fronto-temporal brain regions in schizophrenia patients (SZH). There is also evidence that these relationships might be independent of symptom severity, suggesting dissociable disease processes. We set out to explore these possibilities in a sample of 70 SZH and 72 age and gender-matched healthy controls (provided by the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)). Cortical thickness within fronto-temporal regions implicated by previous work was considered in relation to performance across various cognitive domains (from the MATRICS Cognitive Battery). Compared to controls, SZH had thinner cortices across most fronto-temporal regions and significantly lower performance on all cognitive domains. Robust relationships with cortical thickness were found: visual learning and attention performance correlated with bilateral superior and middle frontal thickness in SZH only. Correlations between attention performance and right transverse temporal thickness were also specific to SZH. Findings point to the importance of these regions for cognitive performance in SZH, possibly reflecting compensatory processes and/or aberrant connectivity. No links to symptom severity were observed in these regions, suggesting these relationships are dissociable from underlying psychotic symptomology. Findings enhance understanding of the brain structural underpinnings and possible aetiology of cognitive impairment in SZH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Alkan
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | - Geoff Davies
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School/Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex, UK
| | - Simon L Evans
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
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10
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Planchuelo-Gómez Á, Lubeiro A, Núñez-Novo P, Gomez-Pilar J, de Luis-García R, Del Valle P, Martín-Santiago Ó, Pérez-Escudero A, Molina V. Identificacion of MRI-based psychosis subtypes: Replication and refinement. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 100:109907. [PMID: 32113850 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The identification of the cerebral substrates of psychoses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is likely hampered by its biological heterogeneity, which may contribute to the low replication of results in the field. In this study we aimed to replicate in a completely new sample and supplement the results of a previous study with additional data on this topic. In the aforementioned study we identified a schizophrenia cluster characterized by high mean cortical curvature and low cortical thickness, subcortical hypometabolism and progressive negative symptoms. Here, we have used magnetic resonance images from 61 schizophrenia and 28 bipolar patients, as well as 51 healthy controls and a cluster analysis to search for possible subgroups primarily characterized by cerebral structural data. Diffusion tensor imaging (fractional anisotropy, FA), cognition, clinical data and electroencephalographic (EEG) modulation during a P300 task were used to validate the possible clusters. Two clusters of patients were identified. The first cluster (29 schizophrenia and 18 bipolar patients) showed decreased cortical thickness and area values, as well as lower subcortical volumes and higher cortical curvature in some regions, as compared to the second cluster. This first cluster also showed decreased FA in frontal lobe connections and worse cognitive performance. Although this cluster also showed longer illness duration, there were first episode patients in both clusters and treatment doses and types were not different between clusters. Both clusters of patients showed decreased EEG task-related modulation. In conclusion, our data give additional support to a distinct biologically based cluster encompassing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients with cortical and subcortical alterations, hampered cortical connectivity and lower cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Planchuelo-Gómez
- Imaging Processing Laboratory, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 15, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Alba Lubeiro
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Pablo Núñez-Novo
- Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 15, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier Gomez-Pilar
- Biomedical Engineering Group, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 15, 47011 Valladolid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodrigo de Luis-García
- Imaging Processing Laboratory, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 15, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Pilar Del Valle
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Psychiatry Service, Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Ramón y Cajal, 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Óscar Martín-Santiago
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Psychiatry Service, Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Ramón y Cajal, 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Adela Pérez-Escudero
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Psychiatry Service, Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Ramón y Cajal, 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Vicente Molina
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University of Valladolid, Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7, 47005 Valladolid, Spain; Psychiatry Service, Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Ramón y Cajal, 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain; Neurosciences Institute of Castilla y León (INCYL), Pintor Fernando Gallego, 1, 37007, University of Salamanca, Spain.
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