Sexual Dysfunction in Unmedicated Patients with Schizophrenia and in Healthy Controls

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (06) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Dembler-Stamm ◽  
Jana Fiebig ◽  
Andreas Heinz ◽  
Jürgen Gallinat
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Medication Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Introduction Sexual dysfunction figures prominently in patients with schizophrenia; however, medication effects may play a role. The objective of this case control study was to assess differences in the presence of sexual dysfunction in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia versus healthy controls. Methods Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the Derogatis Inventory for Sexual Function self-rating in a cross-sectional design controlling for age and gender effects. A brief sexual anamnesis was applied to describe the psychosocial background of the mostly male sample further. Results Results show a significant difference with patients reporting more problems in most domains and with a significant correlation between severity of psychosis (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores) and the impairment of orgasm experience. The study revealed reduced sexual activities and less pleasure during sexual activities of patients. Discussion This study implies that schizophrenia has an impact on the presence of sexual dysfunction and that sexual dysfunction is partly independent of antipsychotic treatment. Since the sample consisted mostly of first-episode males, conclusions might only be valid for this subgroup.

scholarly journals T24. CHANGES IN TELOMERE LENGTH IN YOUNG PEOPLE WITH FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS: A 12-MONTHS FOLLOW-UP STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S240-S240
Author(s):  
Mirian Ayora ◽  
David Fraguas ◽  
Sandra Recio ◽  
Covadonga M Diaz-Caneja ◽  
Maria A Blasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Cellular Aging ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Psychotic Episode ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Cellular aging is associated with the appearance of several chronic organic diseases, and many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, which include psychotic disorders. Telomeres are one of the biomarkers of this cellular aging. Researches have shown that shorter telomere length is a biomarker of oxidation and cellular aging. Recent studies have concluded that patients with a first psychotic episode (FEP) have shorter telomere length than healthy controls (HC). However, there is no published data on the change in telomere length in the first years of illness. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in telomere length measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a sample of patients with early-onset psychosis and healthy subjects. Methods This study included 10 young patients with FEP (50% female, mean age 18.4 years) and 10 young HC (60% female, mean age 16.4 years). PBMCs telomere length was determined using high-throughput quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (HT Q-FISH) at baseline and 12-month follow-up. We analysed in our sample of patients if there are significant differences according to the diagnosis and antipsychotic treatment. Results At baseline, we did not find significant differences in telomere length between FEP patients and HC. After one-year follow-up, it was found that telomere length is shorter in patients with FEP than in HC (p=0.007). The diagnostics in the patients’ group were: 60% schizophrenia and 40% other diagnoses (20% psychosis not specified and 20% bipolar disorder). There was no significant difference between changes in telomeres length and diagnosis (p = 0.840). The antipsychotic treatment in the patients’ group after 12 months was: 20% risperidone, 50% aripiprazole, 10% clozapine, 10% paliperidone and 10% quetiapine. We didn′t find a strong association between the shortening of telomeres and the cumulative dose of antipsychotics. Discussion This is one of the first studies where it has been analysed a longitudinal data of telomere length. It is shown that patients with the first episode of psychosis have significantly shorter telomere length than healthy controls. Changes in telomere length during the first years of illness can represent an early marker of accelerated cellular aging. Further studies are needed with a larger sample to know mechanisms responsible for accelerating aging and the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of psychosis.

scholarly journals Colour Preferences of Elastic Ligatures among Orthodontic Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aljazi H Aljabaa ◽  
Khalid AlMoammar ◽  
Ghada Al-Kharboush ◽  
Rana M Al-Dayel ◽  
Nouf S Alsaloom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fixed Appliances ◽  
Colour Preferences ◽  
And Gender

Introduction: Elastic modules are an integral part of fixed appliances. The availability of different colours is important to patients and their compliance during treatment. Knowledge about the most popular colours is important to orthodontists when ordering their materials. Aim: This study aimed to determine the elastic ligature colour preferences of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment and the influences of age and gender on these preferences. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on a total of 319 patients (88 males and 231 females) aged 18-36 years of age participated in this study. The patients’ elastic ligature colour preferences were recoded using a colour guide and a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions about the patients’ preferences regarding coloured or transparent ligatures, light or dark shades, and changing the ligatures for specific occasions. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25. The descriptive statistics were calculated, and a Pearson’s chi-squared analysis was performed to determine the influence of age and gender effects on colour preferences (p-value <0.05). Results: Most of the participants were excited about changing their elastic ligatures colours (44.5%), and they liked to change the colours at each visit (45.5%). Most participants did not like having multicoloured elastic ligatures in their mouths (77.4%) or changing the elastic colours before certain occasions (49.8%). There was no statistically significant difference in the elastic ligature colour preferences between the genders (p-value=0.0552), but there were statistically significant differences among the age groups (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Most of the patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances preferred less noticeable elastic ligature colours. A significant difference was found between age groups: younger patients preferred coloured elastics, while older patients preferred less noticeable and transparent elastics. No difference was found between the colour preferences among both the gender.

scholarly journals Choroidal vascularity index in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Loiudice ◽  
Marco Pellegrini ◽  
Michele Marinò ◽  
Barbara Mazzi ◽  
Ilaria Ionni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Activity Score ◽  
Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinical Activity Score ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy ◽  
Imagej Software

Abstract Background Hemodynamic changes have been observed in patients with Graves’ disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate choroidal vascular change using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, 40 patients affected by TAO were recruited. Forty healthy individuals, matched for age and sex, served as controls. Foveal enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans were obtained from all participants. Images were binarized using the ImageJ software and luminal area (LA) and total choroidal area (TCA) were measured. CVI was calculated as the proportion of LA to TCA. The relation between CVI or subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, diplopia status, gender, and age was evaluated. Results CVI was significantly higher in patients with TAO (P = 0.004). No significant difference was observed in SFCT (P = 0.200) and TCA (P = 0.153) comparing TAO patients and healthy controls. LA was significantly higher in TAO group (P = 0.045). On multiple regression analysis, CVI was associated with TCA (P = 0.043). No association was found between SFCT or CVI and TCA, clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, Inami value, diplopia status, gender or age (P > 0.05). Conclusions This is the first study that has demonstrated an increase in CVI in eyes with TAO compared with healthy controls and has assessed its association with clinical features.

scholarly journals Interleukin-37 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine: does its relation to disease activity suggest its potential role in rheumatoid arthritis therapy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman A. Baraka ◽  
Mona G. Balata ◽  
Shereen H. Ahmed ◽  
Afaf F. Khamis ◽  
Enas A. Elattar
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Tender Joint ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Abstract Background This study aimed to measure the serum and synovial interleukin (IL)-37 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (PKOA) and healthy controls and to detect its relation to RA disease activity. Results This cross-sectional study included 50 RA patients with a mean age of 40.24 ± 8.62 years, 50 patients with PKOA with a mean age of 56.69 ± 4.21, and 40 healthy controls with a mean age of 41.75 ± 7.38 years. The mean serum IL-37 level in the RA patients (382.6 ± 73.97 pg/ml) was statistically significantly (P < 0.001) the highest among the studied groups; however, it showed a non-significant difference between the PKOA patients (70.38 ± 27.49 pg/ml) and the healthy controls (69.97 ± 25.12 pg/ml) (P > 0.94). Both serum and synovial IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with disease activity scores (r = 0.92, P< 0.001 and r = 0.85, P < 0.001), tender joint counts (r = 0.83, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001 ), swollen joint counts (r = 0.72, P < 0.001 and r = 0.60, P < 0.001), visual analog scale (r = 0.82, P < 0.001 and r = 0.82, P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.75, P < 0.001 and r = 0.65, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.93, P < 0.001 and r = 0.79, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Serum and synovial IL-37 were significantly elevated in the RA patients, and they were closely correlated. Being less invasive, the serum IL-37 could be a marker of disease activity and could reflect the effective disease control by drugs. Having an anti-inflammatory effect could not suggest IL-37 as the key player to control inflammation alone, but its combination with other anti-proinflammatory cytokines could be investigated.

Low Level of Serum Sclerostin in Adult Patients with Tumor-induced Osteomalacia Comparing with X-linked Hypophosphatemia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Ni ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Qianqian Pang ◽  
Yiyi Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mass ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Premenopausal Patients ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Sclerostin Level ◽  
Sclerostin Antibody

Abstract Context Sclerostin is an inhibitor of Wnt-β-catenin signaling to regulate bone formation. Circulating sclerostin levels were reported to be elevated in patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), and sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab) has been shown to increase bone mass and normalize circulating phosphate levels in Hyp mice. However, circulating sclerostin level in acquired hypophosphatemic patients with tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) remains rare reported. Objectives This study was designed to evaluate serum sclerostin levels in TIO patients comparing them with age-, sex- matched healthy controls and XLH patients, and analyze correlation of circulating sclerostin with BMD and laboratory parameters. Design, Setting and Participants 190 individuals including 83 adult TIO patients, 83 adult healthy controls and 24 adult XLH patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Main outcome measures Serum sclerostin levels were determined in TIO patients, healthy controls and XLH patients. Results TIO patients (43 male and 40 female) aged 44.3 ± 8.7 (mean ± SD) years had lower levels of circulating sclerostin than healthy controls (94.2 ± 45.8 vs 108.4 ± 42.3 pg/mL, p = 0.01) with adjustment for age, gender, BMI and diabetes rate. Sclerostin levels were positively associated with age (r = 0.238, p = 0.030). Male patients had higher sclerostin level than female patients (104.7 ± 47.3 vs 83.0 ± 41.8 pg/mL, p = 0.014) and postmenopausal patients had higher tendency of sclerostin level than premenopausal patients (98.4 ± 48.8 vs 71.6 ± 32.3 ng/ml, p = 0.05). Sclerostin levels were positively associated with BMD of L1-4 (r = 0.255, p = 0.028), femoral neck (r = 0.242, p = 0.039) and serum calcium (r = 0.231, p = 0.043). TIO subgroup patients (n=24, 35.9 ± 7.3 years old) comparing with age-, sex-matched adult XLH patients and healthy controls revealed significant difference of sclerostin levels (XLH, TIO and healthy control were 132.0 ± 68.8, 68.4 ± 31.3 and 98.6 ± 41.1 pg/mL, respectively, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Circulating sclerostin levels were decreased in TIO patients but increased in XLH patients, which might be result of histological abnormality and bone mass.

Evaluation of the Fibromyalgia and Related Risk Factors in Patients with Advanced Kidney Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mostafa Seyedmardani ◽  
Saeed Abkhiz ◽  
Azadeh Megrazi ◽  
Aarefeh Jafarzade ◽  
Golshan Kamali Zonouz
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Kidney Failure ◽  
Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Symptom Severity Score ◽  
And Gender

Background : Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is defined as widespread and persistent pain in the musculoskeletal system. There are limited reports regarding the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome in patients with advanced kidney failure undergoing regular hemodialysis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome and its risk factors in a large proportion of patients under the hemodialysis condition. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 293 patients who were admitted to the hemodialysis ward were evaluated for fibromyalgia syndrome in an educational hospital. The questionnaire was designed according to symptom severity score (SS score) and widespread pain index (WPI) criteria. The correlation between FMS and various variables, including demographic, clinical, and biochemistry biomarkers, was also precisely calculated by logistic regression. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.17 statistics software. Results: The results showed that, of 293 hemodialysis patients, 130 patients (44.4%) had fibromyalgia, the mean age of patients with and without fibromyalgia was 61.09 ± 15.36 and 53.49 ± 15.38 years old, respectively (P = 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in terms of gender among patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (P = 0.001). To note, there was no significant relationship between the kidney failure etiopathogenesis, duration of dialysis, body mass index (BMI), Kt/v index, history of peritoneal dialysis, and laboratory parameters with fibromyalgia in hemodialysis patients (P > 0.05). However, our findings revealed that both age and gender could be considered as the predictor variables associated with fibromyalgia in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Conclusion: Taken together, in this study, we found that age and gender would be the critical factors in terms of the fibromyalgia syndrome in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

scholarly journals Perbedaan kadar hemoglobin pada remaja gizi baik yang tinggal di pegunungan dengan yang tinggal di tepi pantai

e-CliniC ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne C. Jacobus ◽  
Max F.J Mantik ◽  
Adrian . Umboh
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Good Nutrition ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Main Component

Abstract: Haemoglobin is the main component of red blood cells that serves as a transporter of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. The normal range of haemoglobin values can be used to determine the degree of anemia according to age and gender. Geographical condition such as altitude influences the haemoglobin value. This study aimed to obtain the difference of haemoglobin levels between teenagers with good nutrition status who live at the highland and those at the seaside. This was an observational analytical study with a cross sectional design. Samples were students with good nutrition status of SMPN 3 Tomohon (living at the highland) and those of SMP Kristen Nazaret Tuminting (living at the seaside). There were 60 students who met the inclusion criteria as follows: adolescent, good nutrition status, healthy, aged 13-15 years, lived at the highland or at the seaside ≥ 6 month, and willing to be performed blood examinations, and had been approved by their parents. The Mann-Whitney test for the difference between haemoglobin levels of the two groups showed a p value < 0,001. Conclusion: There was a very significant difference between haemoglobin levels of good nutrition teenagers who lived at the highland and at the seaside. Keywords: haemoglobin levels, good nutrition, teenagers, highland, seaside  Abstrak: Hemoglobin merupakan komponen utama sel darah merah dan berfungsi sebagai transporter oksigen dan karbon dioksida dalam darah. Batas normal nilai hemoglobin dapat digunakan untuk menetapkan derajat anemia, dengan distribusi usia dan jenis kelamin spesifik didasarkan pada sampel referensi sehat. Kondisi geografis, seperti ketinggian tempat dari permukaan laut menjadi faktor pertimbangan dalam distribusi nilai normal hemoglobin. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan perbedaan kadar hemoglobin antara remaja gizi baik yang tinggal di pegunungan dengan yang tinggal di tepi pantai. Jenis penelitian ini analitik-observasional dengan desain potong lintang. Sampel penelitian yaitu remaja gizi baik yang tinggal di pegunungan yaitu siswa SMPN 3 Tomohon dan yang di tepi pantai yaitu siswa SMP Kristen Nazaret Tuminting. Subjek penelitian berjumlah 60 remaja yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi yaitu gizi baik, sehat, berumur 13-15 tahun, berdomisili di pegunungan atau tepi pantai ≥6 bulan, bersedia dilakukan pemeriksaan darah, dan telah disetujui oleh orang tua. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan uji Mann-Whitney dengan bantuan program SPSS. Hasil uji Mann-Whitney mengenai perbedaan kadar hemoglobin antara kedua kelompok menunjukkan nila p <0,001. Simpulan: Terdapat perbedaan yang sangat bermakna kadar hemoglobin remaja gizi baik yang tinggal di pegunungan dengan di tepi pantai.Kata kunci: kadar hemoglobin, remaja gizi baik, pegunungan, tepi pantai

scholarly journals The Role of Butyric Acid in Treatment Response in Drug-Naïve First Episode Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Li ◽  
Xiaoduo Fan ◽  
Xiuxia Yuan ◽  
Lijuan Pang ◽  
Shaohua Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Response ◽  
Butyric Acid ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia ◽  
Risperidone Treatment

Background: Butyric acid, a major short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), has an important role in the microbiota–gut–brain axis and brain function. This study investigated the role of butyric acid in treatment response in drug-naïve first episode schizophrenia.Methods: The study recruited 56 Chinese Han schizophrenia inpatients with normal body weight and 35 healthy controls. Serum levels of butyric acid were measured using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis at baseline (for all participants) and 24 weeks after risperidone treatment (for patients). Clinical symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for patients at both time points.Results: At baseline, there was no significant difference in serum levels of butyric acid between patients and healthy controls (p = 0.206). However, there was a significant increase in serum levels of butyric acid in schizophrenia patients after 24-week risperidone treatment (p = 0.030). The PANSS total and subscale scores were decreased significantly after 24-week risperidone treatment (p's &lt; 0.001). There were positive associations between baseline serum levels of butyric acid and the reduction ratio of the PANSS total and subscale scores after controlling for age, sex, education, and duration of illness (p's &lt; 0.05). Further, there was a positive association between the increase in serum levels of butyric acid and the reduction of the PANSS positive symptoms subscale scores (r = 0.38, p = 0.019) after controlling for potential confounding factors.Conclusions: Increased serum levels of butyric acid might be associated with a favorable treatment response in drug-naïve, first episode schizophrenia. The clinical implications of our findings were discussed.

scholarly journals Teething Problems and Parental Beliefs in Nigeria

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Foluso J. Owotade ◽  
Morenike O. Folayan ◽  
Temitope A. Esan ◽  
Elizabeth O. Oziegbe ◽  
Comfort A. Adekoya-Sofowora
Keyword(s):  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Parental Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socioeconomic Class ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Symptoms And Signs ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract Aim To determine signs and symptoms associated with teething, parental beliefs about teething, and the effects of socioeconomic status on teething in Nigerian children. Methods and Materials A cross-sectional study consisting of 1,013 mothers of children between the ages four to 36 months who visited the immunization clinics at the Community Health Centres in Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas. Data was analyzed using STATA (Intercooled release 9) for Windows. Results A total of 765 mothers (75.5%) reported systemic signs and symptoms in their children. Fever (51.8%), diarrhea (12.5%), and vomiting (2.9%) were the most prevalent symptoms and signs reported. Teething problems were reported by 60% of mothers from a high socioeconomic class, as well as 76.7% and 77.9% from middle and low socioeconomic classes, respectively. Interestingly, 65.5% of mothers believed teething should be accompanied with systemic signs and symptoms such as fever (42.1%), diarrhea (13.9%), and vomiting (0.6%). No significant difference was noted between breastfeeding status, gender of the child, and reported systemic signs and symptoms noticed by the mothers. Conclusion Most mothers in the study reported signs and symptoms adduced to teething in their children irrespective of their beliefs. Fever ranked highest of the signs and symptoms reported. Mothers of children from the high socioeconomic class reported fewer teething symptoms. Breastfeeding status and gender of the child had no effect on teething problems in the children studied. Clinical Significance Most signs and symptoms adduced to teething by parents may actually be due to underlying infections. Thus, there is a need to rule out occult infection during the tooth eruption period. Citation Oziegbe EO, Folayan MO, Adekoya-Sofowora CA, Esan TA, Owotade FJ. Teething Problems and Parental Beliefs in Nigeria. J Contemp Dent Pract 2009 July; (10)4:075-082.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 1291-1299 ◽  
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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