Cortical thickness in first-episode schizophrenia patients and individuals at high familial risk: A cross-sectional comparison

Accumulating evidence supports involvement of innate immunity in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Monocytes are a highly heterogeneous population, subcategorized into classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+) and nonclassical subsets (CD14+CD16++). How monocytic subsets may shape brain structures and functions remains unclear. The primary goal of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the inter-relationships among monocytic subsets and their specific transcriptomic profiles, cerebral cortical thickness, and cognitive functions in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients. We performed whole-blood RNA sequencing (RNAseq) in 128 FES patients and 111 healthy controls (HCs) along with MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) measurement, as well as neuroimaging and flow cytometry among partial participants. RNAseq revealed significantly changed expressions of 54 monocytic signature genes in FES patients compared to HCs, especially for intermediate and nonclassical monocytic subsets, with the most outstanding alterations being downregulated S100 Calcium Binding Protein A (S100A) and upregulated Interferon Induced Transmembrane Protein (IFITM) family members, respectively. The percentage of nonclassical monocytes was decreased in FES patients. Cortical thicknesses and MCCB performance were expectantly reduced in FES patients too. Interestingly, negative inter-relationships of monocytic signature genes with both cortical thicknesses and cognition were found in HCs, which were weakened or even reversed in FES patients. Furthermore, the lateral occipital cortex fully mediated the negative effect of a classical monocytic gene Ribonuclease A Family Member 2 (RNASE2) on visual learning in patient group. This study suggests that monocytic dysfunctions play an essential role in cognitive deficit of schizophrenia, and their subtypes should be considered in future research.

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Connectome-Based Patterns of First-Episode Medication-Naïve Patients With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbz014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 1291-1299 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Long-Biao Cui ◽

Yongbin Wei ◽

Yi-Bin Xi ◽

Alessandra Griffa ◽

Siemon C De Lange ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Network Architecture ◽

Functional Neuroimaging ◽

Brain Network ◽

First Episode ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Rich Club ◽

Functional Dynamics ◽

Neuroimaging Study ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Emerging evidence indicates that a disruption in brain network organization may play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The neuroimaging fingerprint reflecting the pathophysiology of first-episode schizophrenia remains to be identified. Here, we aimed at characterizing the connectome organization of first-episode medication-naïve patients with schizophrenia. A cross-sectional structural and functional neuroimaging study using two independent samples (principal dataset including 42 medication-naïve, previously untreated patients and 48 healthy controls; replication dataset including 39 first-episode patients [10 untreated patients] and 66 healthy controls) was performed. Brain network architecture was assessed by means of white matter fiber integrity measures derived from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and by means of structural-functional (SC-FC) coupling measured by combining DWI and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Connectome rich club organization was found to be significantly disrupted in medication-naïve patients as compared with healthy controls (P = .012, uncorrected), with rich club connection strength (P = .032, uncorrected) and SC-FC coupling (P < .001, corrected for false discovery rate) decreased in patients. Similar results were found in the replication dataset. Our findings suggest that a disruption of rich club organization and functional dynamics may reflect an early feature of schizophrenia pathophysiology. These findings add to our understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms of schizophrenia and provide new insights into the early stages of the disorder.

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Morphology of the corpus callosum at different stages of schizophrenia: Cross-sectional study in first-episode and chronic illness

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.107.041251 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 192 (6) ◽

pp. 429-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Mark Walterfang ◽

Amanda G. Wood ◽

David C. Reutens ◽

Stephen J. Wood ◽

Jian Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Corpus Callosum ◽

Chronic Schizophrenia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

First Episode ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Size And Shape ◽

Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia ◽

Parietal Cortices

BackgroundThe shape of the corpus callosum may differ in schizophrenia, although no study has compared first-episode with established illness.AimsTo investigate the size and shape of the corpus callosum in a large sample of people with first-episode and established schizophrenia.MethodCallosal size and shape were determined using highresolution magnetic resonance imaging on 76 patients with first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, 86 patients with established schizophrenia and 55 healthy participants.ResultsThere were no significant differences in total area across groups. Reductions in callosal width were seen in the region of the anterior genu in first-episode disorder (P<0.005). Similar reductions were seen in the chronic schizophrenia group in the anterior genu, but also in the posterior genu and isthmus (P = 0.0005).ConclusionsReductions in anterior callosal regions connecting frontal cortex are present at the onset of schizophrenia, and in established illness are accompanied by changes in other regions of the callosum connecting cingulate, temporal and parietal cortices.

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ZNF804A rs1344706 is associated with cortical thickness, surface area, and cortical volume of the unmedicated first episode schizophrenia and healthy controls

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics ◽

10.1002/ajmg.b.32308 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 168 (4) ◽

pp. 265-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Qinling Wei ◽

Meng Li ◽

Zhuang Kang ◽

Leijun Li ◽

Feici Diao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surface Area ◽

Cortical Thickness ◽

First Episode ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cortical Volume ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia

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Cortical thickness in the anterior cingulate correlates with apoptotic markers in cultured fibroblasts in first-episode schizophrenia individuals

European Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.11.887 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. S601-S602

Author(s):

A. Fortea ◽

J.C. Pariente ◽

A. Batalla ◽

N. Bargallo ◽

P. Gasso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cortical Thickness ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

First Episode ◽

Cultured Fibroblasts ◽

Apoptotic Markers ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia

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First episode schizophrenia in general practice: a national survey

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s079096670000937x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 6-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Blanaid Gavin ◽

Walter Cullen ◽

Brian O'Donoghue ◽

Juan Carlos Ascencio-Lane ◽

Gerard Bury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Practice ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Postal Survey ◽

Psychiatric Services ◽

First Episode ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Intervention Service ◽

Almost All ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia ◽

First Episode Of Schizophrenia

AbstractObjective: We sought to establish the views of general practitioners about detecting and managing patients with a first episode of schizophrenia in Ireland.Method: Twenty per cent of GPs were invited to participate in a cross-sectional postal survey.Results: Sixty-two per cent (n = 261) participated. Almost all (99.2%) see at least one case of suspected first episode schizophrenia annually. The most commonly (80.7%) encountered symptom is ‘bizarre behaviour’. Many (47.7%) rarely or never prescribe antipsychotics to patients whom they suspect have a first episode of schizophrenia. However, 80.6% of GPs reported that they ‘always’ refer this group of patients to psychiatric services. Over half (57.8%) advised patients with schizophrenia to continue medication for less than a year. A large number of respondents reported that it is difficult to obtain a rapid psychiatric assessment.Conclusions: GPs want more information about identifying early psychosis, a closer liaison with psychiatric services and a rapid intervention service.

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