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Chen Y, Wang S, Zhang X, Yang Q, Hua M, Li Y, Qin W, Liu F, Liang M. Functional Connectivity-Based Searchlight Multivariate Pattern Analysis for Discriminating Schizophrenia Patients and Predicting Clinical Variables. Schizophr Bull 2024; 51:108-119. [PMID: 38819252 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia, a multifaceted psychiatric disorder characterized by functional dysconnectivity, poses significant challenges in clinical practice. This study explores the potential of functional connectivity (FC)-based searchlight multivariate pattern analysis (CBS-MVPA) to discriminate between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls while also predicting clinical variables. STUDY DESIGN We enrolled 112 schizophrenia patients and 119 demographically matched healthy controls. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected, and whole-brain FC subnetworks were constructed. Additionally, clinical assessments and cognitive evaluations yielded a dataset comprising 36 clinical variables. Finally, CBS-MVPA was utilized to identify subnetworks capable of effectively distinguishing between the patient and control groups and predicting clinical scores. STUDY RESULTS The CBS-MVPA approach identified 63 brain subnetworks exhibiting significantly high classification accuracies, ranging from 62.2% to 75.6%, in distinguishing individuals with schizophrenia from healthy controls. Among them, 5 specific subnetworks centered on the dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus, superior occipital gyrus, hippocampus, and parahippocampal gyrus showed predictive capabilities for clinical variables within the schizophrenia cohort. CONCLUSION This study highlights the potential of CBS-MVPA as a valuable tool for localizing the information related to schizophrenia in terms of brain network abnormalities and capturing the relationship between these abnormalities and clinical variables, and thus, deepens our understanding of the neurological mechanisms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayuan Chen
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and The Province and Ministry Cosponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and The Province and Ministry Cosponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingqing Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Minghui Hua
- Department of Radiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yifan Li
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and The Province and Ministry Cosponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng Liang
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging and The Province and Ministry Cosponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Wei X, Cao H, Luo C, Zhao Q, Xia C, Li Z, Liu Z, Zhang W, Gong Q, Lui S. Altered cerebellar effective connectivity in first-episode schizophrenia and long-term changes after treatment. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 78:605-611. [PMID: 39072968 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
AIM Cerebello-cortical functional dysconnectivity plays a key role in the pathology of schizophrenia (SZ). We aimed to investigate the changes in cerebello-cortical directional connectivity in patients with SZ. METHODS A total of 180 drug-naïve patients with first-episode SZ (54 reassessed after 1 year of treatment) and 166 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to perform Granger causal analysis, in which each of the nine cerebellar functional systems was defined as a seed. The observed effective connectivity (EC) alterations at baseline were further assessed at follow-up and were associated with changes in psychotic symptom. RESULTS We observed increased bottom-up EC in first-episode SZ from the cerebellum to the cerebrum (e.g. from the cerebellar attention and cingulo-opercular systems to the bilateral angular gyri, and from the cerebellar cingulo-opercular system to the right inferior frontal gyrus). In contrast, decreased top-down EC in the first-episode SZ was mainly from the cerebrum to the cerebellum (e.g. from the right inferior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left putamen, and right angular gyrus to the cerebellar language system). After 1 year of antipsychotic treatment, information projections from the cerebrum to the cerebellum were partly restored and positively related to symptom remission. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that decreased top-down EC during the acute phase of SZ may be a state-dependent alteration related to symptoms and medication. However, increased bottom-up EC may reflect a persistent pathological trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wei
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Hengyi Cao
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, USA
| | - Chunyan Luo
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiannan Zhao
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Chao Xia
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Ziyu Li
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiqin Liu
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Su Lui
- Department of Radiology, and Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
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Biondi M, Marino M, Mantini D, Spironelli C. Unveiling altered connectivity between cognitive networks and cerebellum in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2024; 271:47-58. [PMID: 39013344 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive functioning is a crucial aspect in schizophrenia (SZ), and when altered it has devastating effects on patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes. Several studies suggested that they could result from altered communication between the cortex and cerebellum. However, the neural correlates underlying these impairments have not been identified. In this study, we investigated resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) in SZ patients, by considering the interactions between cortical networks supporting cognition and cerebellum. In addition, we investigated the relationship between SZ patients' rsFC and their symptoms. We used fMRI data from 74 SZ patients and 74 matched healthy controls (HC) downloaded from the publicly available database SchizConnect. We implemented a seed-based connectivity approach to identify altered functional connections between specific cortical networks and cerebellum. We considered ten commonly studied resting state networks, whose functioning encompasses specific cognitive functions, and the cerebellum, whose involvement in supporting cognition has been recently identified. We then explored the relationship between altered rsFC values and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores. The SZ group showed increased connectivity values compared with HC group for cortical networks involved in attentive processes, which were also linked to PANSS items describing attention and language-related processing. We also showed decreased connectivity between cerebellar regions, and increased connectivity between them and attentive networks, suggesting the contribution of cerebellum to attentive and affective deficits. In conclusion, our findings highlighted the link between negative symptoms in SZ and altered connectivity within the cerebellum and between the same and cortical networks supporting cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Marino
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy; Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dante Mantini
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, KU, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Chiara Spironelli
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy; Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy
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Antonioni A, Raho EM, Straudi S, Granieri E, Koch G, Fadiga L. The cerebellum and the Mirror Neuron System: A matter of inhibition? From neurophysiological evidence to neuromodulatory implications. A narrative review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105830. [PMID: 39069236 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Mirror neurons show activity during both the execution (AE) and observation of actions (AO). The Mirror Neuron System (MNS) could be involved during motor imagery (MI) as well. Extensive research suggests that the cerebellum is interconnected with the MNS and may be critically involved in its activities. We gathered evidence on the cerebellum's role in MNS functions, both theoretically and experimentally. Evidence shows that the cerebellum plays a major role during AO and MI and that its lesions impair MNS functions likely because, by modulating the activity of cortical inhibitory interneurons with mirror properties, the cerebellum may contribute to visuomotor matching, which is fundamental for shaping mirror properties. Indeed, the cerebellum may strengthen sensory-motor patterns that minimise the discrepancy between predicted and actual outcome, both during AE and AO. Furthermore, through its connections with the hippocampus, the cerebellum might be involved in internal simulations of motor programs during MI. Finally, as cerebellar neuromodulation might improve its impact on MNS activity, we explored its potential neurophysiological and neurorehabilitation implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annibale Antonioni
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara 44124, Italy; Doctoral Program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Maria Raho
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Sofia Straudi
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara 44124, Italy
| | - Enrico Granieri
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
| | - Giacomo Koch
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy; Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ferrara 44121 , Italy; Non Invasive Brain Stimulation Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Santa Lucia, Rome 00179, Italy
| | - Luciano Fadiga
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy; Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ferrara 44121 , Italy
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Yan H, Shan X, Li H, Liu F, Xie G, Li P, Guo W. Cerebellar functional connectivity and its associated genes: A longitudinal study in drug-naive patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 177:378-391. [PMID: 39083996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The role of cerebellar-cerebral functional connectivity (CC-FC) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), its trajectory post-pharmacotherapy, and its potential as a prognostic biomarker and genetic mechanism remain uncertain. To address these gaps, this study included 37 drug-naive OCD patients and 37 healthy controls (HCs). Participants underwent baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), followed by four weeks of paroxetine treatment for patients with OCD, and another fMRI scan post-treatment. We examined seed-based CC-FC differences between the patients and HCs, and pre- and post-treatment patients. Support vector regression (SVR) based on CC-FC was performed to predict treatment response. Correlation analysis explored associations between CC-FC and clinical features, as well as gene profiles. Compared to HCs, drug-naive OCD patients exhibited reduced CC-FC in executive, affective-limbic, and sensorimotor networks, with specific genetic profiles associated with altered CC-FC. Gene enrichment analyses highlighted the involvement of these genes in various biological processes, molecular functions, and pathways. Post-treatment, the patients showed partial clinical improvement and partial restoration of the previously decreased CC-FC. Abnormal CC-FC at baseline correlated negatively with compulsions severity and social functional impairment, while changes in CC-FC correlated with cognitive function changes post-treatment. CC-FC emerged as a potential predictor of symptom severity in patients following paroxetine treatment. This longitudinal resting-state fMRI study underscores the crucial role of CC-FC in the neuropsychological mechanisms of OCD and its pharmacological treatment. Transcriptome-neuroimaging spatial correlation analyses provide insight into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying OCD pathology. Furthermore, SVR analyses hold promise for advancing precision medicine approaches in treating patients with OCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haohao Yan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Shan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Huabing Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Guojun Xie
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, 161006, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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Zhang R, Ren J, Lei X, Wang Y, Chen X, Fu L, Li Q, Guo C, Teng X, Wu Z, Yu L, Wang D, Chen Y, Zhang C. Aberrant patterns of spontaneous brain activity in schizophrenia: A resting-state fMRI study and classification analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111066. [PMID: 38901758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a prevalent mental disorder, leading to severe disability. Currently, the absence of objective biomarkers hinders effective diagnosis. This study was conducted to explore the aberrant spontaneous brain activity and investigate the potential of abnormal brain indices as diagnostic biomarkers employing machine learning methods. METHODS A total of sixty-one schizophrenia patients and seventy demographically matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The static indices of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) including amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional ALFF (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and degree centrality (DC) were calculated to evaluate spontaneous brain activity. Subsequently, a sliding-window method was then used to conduct temporal dynamic analysis. The comparison of static and dynamic rs-fMRI indices between the patient and control groups was conducted using a two-sample t-test. Finally, the machine learning analysis was applied to estimate the diagnostic value of abnormal indices of brain activity. RESULTS Schizophrenia patients exhibited a significant increase ALFF value in inferior frontal gyrus, alongside significant decreases in fALFF values observed in left postcentral gyrus and right cerebellum posterior lobe. Pervasive aberrations in ReHo indices were observed among schizophrenia patients, particularly in frontal lobe and cerebellum. A noteworthy reduction in voxel-wise concordance of dynamic indices was observed across gray matter regions encompassing the bilateral frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and insular cortices. The classification analysis achieved the highest values for area under curve at 0.87 and accuracy at 81.28% when applying linear support vector machine and leveraging a combination of abnormal static and dynamic indices in the specified brain regions as features. CONCLUSIONS The static and dynamic indices of brain activity exhibited as potential neuroimaging biomarkers for the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Juanjuan Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxia Lei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yewei Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochang Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lirong Fu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyi Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyue Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Teng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zenan Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingfang Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Ding Q, Li L, Tong Q, He H, Gao B, Xia L. White matter microstructure alterations of the posterior limb of internal capsule in first-episode drug naive schizophrenia patients. Brain Res 2024; 1841:149114. [PMID: 38977237 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have shown that microstructural alterations in white matter (WM) could contribute to the symptom manifestation and support the dysconnectivity hypothesis in schizophrenia patients. These alterations were pervasive, non-specific, and reported inconsistently across the literature. This study aimed to specifically investigate the microstructure alterations of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) in first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia patients. Utilizing a multicompartmental biophysical model, we further explored the correlation between these alterations and syndrome scale scores. METHODS Thirty-two individuals with first-episode, drug-naive schizophrenia (FES) and thirty demographically matched healthy controls were enrolled. High-resolution multi-shell diffusion MRI data were collected, followed by the application of a three-compartment Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) model to scrutinize the alterations in white matter microstructure. Changes in sensory and motor fibers within the PLIC were specifically focused on. Additionally, the correlation between these pathological changes and scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was investigated. RESULTS The Neurite density index (NDI) in the left PLIC was significantly lower in FES patients compared to healthy individuals, and positively correlated with PANSS positive syndrome scores (r = 0.0379, p = 0.046). In the sensory component (left superior thalamic radiation within PLIC, STR_P), the NDI was significantly elevated (p < 0.0001). Conversely, the NDI in the motor component (left corticospinal tract within PLIC, CST_P) was reduced (p = 0.007) in FES patients compared to healthy individuals, and strongly correlated with PANSS positive syndrome scores (p < 0.020) and PANSS total scores (p < 0.045). Moreover, the NDI deviation of STR from total PLIC (fSTR_P) and NDI deviation in STR_P and CST_P compared to PLIC region (fPLIC) were significantly higher in FES patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.00001), with an area under the curve (AUC) of fPLIC reaching 0.872. CONCLUSION The study's findings provided new insights into the discrepancy of white matter microstructure changes associated with the sensory and motor fibers in the PLIC region in FES patients. These results contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that WM microstructural alterations play a critical role in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Ding
- Center for Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Polytechnic Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingyu Li
- Center for Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Polytechnic Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiqi Tong
- Research Center for Data Hub and Security, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongjian He
- School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Bin Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ling Xia
- Center for Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Cattarinussi G, Di Giorgio A, Sambataro F. Cerebellar dysconnectivity in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is associated with cognitive and clinical variables. Schizophr Res 2024; 267:497-506. [PMID: 38582653 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal cerebellar functional connectivity (FC) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). However, the patterns of cerebellar dysconnectivity in these two disorders and their association with cognitive functioning and clinical symptoms have not been fully clarified. In this study, we examined cerebellar FC alterations in SCZ and BD-I and their association with cognition and psychotic symptoms. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data of 39 SCZ, 43 BD-I, and 61 healthy controls from the Consortium for Neuropsychiatric Phenomics dataset were examined. The cerebellum was parcellated into ten functional networks, and seed-based FC was calculated for each cerebellar system. Principal component analyses were used to reduce the dimensionality of the diagnosis-related FC and cognitive variables. Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between FC and cognitive and clinical data. RESULTS We observed decreased cerebellar FC with the frontal, temporal, occipital, and thalamic areas in individuals with SCZ, and a more widespread decrease in cerebellar FC in individuals with BD-I, involving the frontal, cingulate, parietal, temporal, occipital, and thalamic regions. SCZ had increased within-cerebellum and cerebellar frontal FC compared to BD-I. In BD-I, memory and verbal learning performances, which were higher compared to SCZ, showed a greater interaction with cerebellar FC patterns. Additionally, patterns of increased cortico-cerebellar FC were marginally associated with positive symptoms in patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that shared and distinct patterns of cortico-cerebellar dysconnectivity in SCZ and BD-I could underlie cognitive impairments and psychotic symptoms in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cattarinussi
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Annabella Di Giorgio
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Fabio Sambataro
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Cao H, Shinn AK, Guo W. Editorial: Cerebellar structure and function in psychotic disorders: from mechanisms to clinics. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1344882. [PMID: 38146281 PMCID: PMC10749355 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1344882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hengyi Cao
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Ann K. Shinn
- Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders and National Center for Mental Disorders, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Cao H, Lencz T, Gallego JA, Rubio JM, John M, Barber AD, Birnbaum ML, Robinson DG, Malhotra AK. A Functional Connectome-Based Neural Signature for Individualized Prediction of Antipsychotic Response in First-Episode Psychosis. Am J Psychiatry 2023; 180:827-835. [PMID: 37644811 PMCID: PMC11104773 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20220719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identification of robust biomarkers that predict individualized response to antipsychotic treatment at the early stage of psychotic disorders remains a challenge in precision psychiatry. The aim of this study was to investigate whether any functional connectome-based neural traits could serve as such a biomarker. METHODS In a discovery sample, 49 patients with first-episode psychosis received multi-paradigm fMRI scans at baseline and were clinically followed up for 12 weeks under antipsychotic monotherapies. Treatment response was evaluated at the individual level based on the psychosis score of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Cross-paradigm connectivity and connectome-based predictive modeling were employed to train a predictive model that uses baseline connectomic measures to predict individualized change rates of psychosis scores, with model performance evaluated as the Pearson correlations between the predicted change rates and the observed change rates, based on cross-validation. The model generalizability was further examined in an independent validation sample of 24 patients in a similar design. RESULTS The results revealed a paradigm-independent connectomic trait that significantly predicted individualized treatment outcome in both the discovery sample (predicted-versus-observed r=0.41) and the validation sample (predicted-versus-observed r=0.47, mean squared error=0.019). Features that positively predicted psychosis change rates primarily involved connections related to the cerebellar-cortical circuitry, and features that negatively predicted psychosis change rates were chiefly connections within the cortical cognitive systems. CONCLUSIONS This study discovers and validates a connectome-based functional signature as a promising early predictor for individualized response to antipsychotic treatment in first-episode psychosis, thus highlighting the potential clinical value of this biomarker in precision psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyi Cao
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Todd Lencz
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Juan A Gallego
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Jose M Rubio
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Majnu John
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Anita D Barber
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Michael L Birnbaum
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Delbert G Robinson
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
| | - Anil K Malhotra
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. (all authors); Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, N.Y. (all authors); Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, N.Y. (all authors)
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11
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Luo L, Li Q, Wang Y, He N, Wang Y, You W, Zhang Q, Long F, Chen L, Zhao Y, Yao L, Sweeney JA, Gong Q, Li F. Shared and Disorder-Specific Alterations of Brain Temporal Dynamics in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:1387-1398. [PMID: 37030006 PMCID: PMC10483459 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia have distinct but also overlapping symptoms. Few studies have examined the shared and disorder-specific disturbances in dynamic brain function in the 2 disorders. STUDY DESIGN Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 31 patients with OCD and 49 patients with schizophrenia, all untreated, and 45 healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed using spatial group independent component (IC) analysis. Time-varying degree centrality patterns across the whole brain were clustered into 3 reoccurring states, and state transition metrics were obtained. We further explored regional temporal variability of degree centrality for each IC across all time windows. STUDY RESULTS Patients with OCD and patients with schizophrenia both showed decreased occurrence of a state having the highest centrality in the sensorimotor and auditory networks. Additionally, patients with OCD and patients with schizophrenia both exhibited reduced dynamics of degree centrality in the superior frontal gyrus than controls, while dynamic degree centrality of the cerebellum was lower in patients with schizophrenia than with OCD and HCs. Altered dynamics of degree centrality nominally correlated with symptom severity in both patient groups. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence of transdiagnostic and clinically relevant functional brain abnormalities across OCD and schizophrenia in neocortex, as well as functional dynamic alterations in the cerebellum specific to schizophrenia. These findings add to the recognition of overlap in neocortical alterations in the 2 disorders, and indicate that cerebellar alterations in schizophrenia may be specifically important in schizophrenia pathophysiology via impact on cerebellar thalamocortical circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekai Luo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Department of Radiology, West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Qian Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yaxuan Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Ning He
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yuxia Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Wanfang You
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Fenghua Long
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Lizhou Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Youjin Zhao
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Li Yao
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - John A Sweeney
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Fei Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
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12
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Hua JPY, Abram SV, Ford JM. Cerebellar stimulation in schizophrenia: A systematic review of the evidence and an overview of the methods. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1069488. [PMID: 36620688 PMCID: PMC9815121 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1069488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebellar structural and functional abnormalities underlie widespread deficits in clinical, cognitive, and motor functioning that are observed in schizophrenia. Consequently, the cerebellum is a promising target for novel schizophrenia treatments. Here we conducted an updated systematic review examining the literature on cerebellar stimulation efficacy and tolerability for mitigating symptoms of schizophrenia. We discuss the purported mechanisms of cerebellar stimulation, current methods for implementing stimulation, and future directions of cerebellar stimulation for intervention development with this population. METHODS Two independent authors identified 20 published studies (7 randomized controlled trials, 7 open-label studies, 1 pilot study, 4 case reports, 1 preclinical study) that describe the effects of cerebellar circuitry modulation in patients with schizophrenia or animal models of psychosis. Published studies up to October 11, 2022 were identified from a search within PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo. RESULTS Most studies stimulating the cerebellum used transcranial magnetic stimulation or transcranial direct-current stimulation, specifically targeting the cerebellar vermis/midline. Accounting for levels of methodological rigor across studies, these studies detected post-cerebellar modulation in schizophrenia as indicated by the alleviation of certain clinical symptoms (mainly negative and depressive symptoms), as well as increased frontal-cerebellar connectivity and augmentation of canonical neuro-oscillations known to be abnormal in schizophrenia. In contrast to a prior review, we did not find consistent evidence for cognitive improvements following cerebellar modulation stimulation. Modern cerebellar stimulation methods appear tolerable for individuals with schizophrenia, with only mild and temporary side effects. CONCLUSION Cerebellar stimulation is a promising intervention for individuals with schizophrenia that may be more relevant to some symptom domains than others. Initial results highlight the need for continued research using more methodologically rigorous designs, such as additional longitudinal and randomized controlled trials. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022346667].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Y Hua
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Samantha V Abram
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Judith M Ford
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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