scholarly journals Changes in Brain Structure, Function, and Network Properties in Patients With First-Episode Schizophrenia Treated With Antipsychotics

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Yin ◽  
Chao Zhao ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Xiaoyi Liu ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structure Function ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Inferior Parietal Lobule ◽  
Network Properties ◽  
Parietal Lobule ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Purpose: Comprehensive and longitudinal brain analysis is of great significance for understanding the pathological changes of antipsychotic drug treatment in patients with schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate the changes of structure, function, and network properties in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) after antipsychotic therapy and their relationship with clinical symptoms.Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients diagnosed with FES and 30 healthy subjects matched for sex and age were enrolled in our study. Patients at baseline were labeled as antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia (AN-FES), and patients after antipsychotic treatment were labeled as antipsychotic treatment first-episode schizophrenia (AT-FES). The severity of illness was measured by using the PANSS and CGI score. Structural and functional MRI data were also performed. Differences in GMV, ALFF, and ReHo between the FES group and healthy control group were tested using a voxel-wise two-sample t-test, and the comparison of AN-FES group and AT-FES group was evaluated by paired-sample t-test.Results: After the 1-year follow-up, the FES patients showed increased GMV in the right cerebellum, right inferior temporal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral inferior parietal lobule, and reduced GMV in the left occipital lobe, gyrus rectus, right orbital frontal cortex. The patients also showed increased ALFF in the medial superior frontal gyrus and right precentral gyrus. For network properties, the patients showed reduced characteristic path length and increased global efficiency. The GMV of the right inferior parietal lobule was negatively correlated with the clinical symptoms.Conclusions: Our study showed that the antipsychotic treatment contributed to the structural alteration and functional improvement, and the GMV alteration may be associated with the improvement of clinical symptoms.

White-matter microstructure in previously drug-naive patients with schizophrenia after 6 weeks of treatment

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 2301-2309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Wang ◽  
C. Cheung ◽  
W. Deng ◽  
M. Li ◽  
C. Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

BackgroundIt is not clear whether the progressive changes in brain microstructural deficits documented in previous longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies might be due to the disease process or to other factors such as medication. It is important to explore the longitudinal alterations in white-matter (WM) microstructure in antipsychotic-naive patients with first-episode schizophrenia during the very early phase of treatment when relatively ‘free’ from chronicity.MethodThirty-five patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 22 healthy volunteers were recruited. High-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was obtained from participants at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. A ‘difference map’ for each individual was calculated from the 6-week follow-up fractional anisotropy (FA) of DTI minus the baseline FA. Differences in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores between baseline and 6 weeks were also evaluated and expressed as a 6-week/baseline ratio.ResultsCompared to healthy controls, there was a significant decrease in absolute FA of WM around the bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus and the right anterior corona radiata of the frontal lobe in first-episode drug-naive patients with schizophrenia following 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical symptoms improved during this period but the change in FA did not correlate with the changes in clinical symptoms or the dose of antipsychotic medication.ConclusionsDuring the early phase of treatment, there is an acute reduction in WM FA that may be due to the effects of antipsychotic medications. However, it is not possible to entirely exclude the effects of underlying progression of illness.

Study of brain asymmetries in sporadic and familial first episode patients with schizophrenia

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 919-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Deng ◽  
L. Zou ◽  
L. Cui ◽  
C. Huang ◽  
Z. Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Regions ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Inferior Parietal Lobule ◽  
Superior Parietal Lobule ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
Parietal Lobule ◽  
The Difference ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

IntroductionAlthough the deviations of brain volume deficits in sporadic and familial first-episode schizophrenia patients (FEP) had been presented, the difference of brain asymmetries remained unidentified.ObjectivesTo assess the potential differences of volumetric asymmetries of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) between groups.AimsTo find out the different injury alteration of sporadic FEP and familial FEP.Methods42 sporadic and 30 familiar drug-naïve FEP with and 72 matched normal controls (NC) were recruited. Participants were assessed with neuropsychological tests and scanned by a 3.0T MRI to obtain T1-weighted and DTI images. Lateralization distribution maps of GM and WM volume were generated by employing optimized voxel-based morphometry. The asymmetries were analyzed by comparing calculating Laterality Index (LI) voxel by voxel.ResultsAll three groups showed similar overall brain torque. Familiar FEP have more regional extensive GM asymmetry brain lesions compared to sporadic FEP. There was no shared regional lesion between two groups. LIGM and LIWM in right superior temporal were negatively correlated. Significant negative correlations were also found between LIGM of left superior parietal lobule and LIWM of right superior parietal lobule, and between LIGM of right inferior parietal lobule and LIWM of left inferior parietal lobule. The asymmetry in distinct brain regions were related to cognitive deficits especially in the domains of language and memory.ConclusionsThe two patient groups had different alteration in injuries of brain asymmetry. Familiar FEP has more GM extensive asymmetry brain region, which may correlate with their high genetic burdens.

Reduced cortical thickness in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis and clinical attributes

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoo Bin Kwak ◽  
Minah Kim ◽  
Kang Ik Kevin Cho ◽  
Junhee Lee ◽  
Tae Yong Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Inferior Parietal Lobule ◽  
Clinical High Risk ◽  
Prodromal Symptoms ◽  
Youth Clinic ◽  
Parietal Lobule ◽  
The Right

Objectives: Although neuroanatomical abnormalities in subjects at clinical high risk for psychosis have been considered a putative biomarker of psychosis, relevance of cortical thickness alterations remains contested due to discrepant findings. Inconsistencies persist in Asian clinical high risk studies, despite their advantageous settings well-controlled for confounds. Attributes of cortical thickness alterations in clinical high risk subjects warrant further examination. Methods: We examined cortical thickness at the whole-brain level in 74 clinical high risk subjects and 34 demographically matched healthy controls recruited from Seoul Youth Clinic, South Korea. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms, and their associations with cortical thickness were explored using partial correlation analysis. Results: Compared to healthy control, clinical high risk exhibited significant cortical thinning in bilateral prefrontal cortex and inferior parietal lobule clusters. Reduced thickness in the left prefrontal cortex cluster was associated with more severe Scale of Prodromal Symptoms general symptoms scores and the right inferior parietal lobule cluster with Scale of Prodromal Symptoms disorganization symptoms. Conclusions: Thickness deficits found in the present clinical high risk sample demonstrated a degree of consistency with those reported in the previous Seoul Youth Clinic study. While inconsistencies reported between the present and previous Seoul Youth Clinic samples may reflect markedly decreased rate of converters, consistencies may be relevant to clinical attributes beyond transition, such as the prevalence of comorbidities. Particular recruitment strategies employed for sample selections should also be considered for findings in Asian clinical high risk samples. Our results suggest potential utility of cortical thickness alterations in clinical high risk subjects beyond the frame of transition.

scholarly journals Relationships between abnormal neural activities and cognitive impairments in patients with drug-naive first-episode schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yan ◽  
Rongrong Zhang ◽  
Min Zhou ◽  
Shuiping Lu ◽  
Wenmei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Background Prior resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies via the regional homogeneity (ReHo) method have demonstrated inconsistent and conflicting results because of several confounding factors, such as small sample size, medicinal influence, and illness duration. Relationships between ReHo measures and cognitive impairments in patients with drug-naive first-episode schizophrenia (dn-FES) are rarely reported. This study was conducted to explore the correlations between ReHo measures, cognitive deficits, and clinical symptoms in patients with dn-FES. Methods A total of 69 patients with dn-FES and 74 healthy controls were recruited. MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess cognitive function, intelligence quotient (IQ), and clinical symptoms, respectively. The correlations between ReHo map and cognitive deficits, the severity of symptoms were examined using strict correlation analyses within brain areas. Results The ReHo values in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) increased in the dn-FES group, whereas the ReHo values in the right cuneus decreased. Correlation analysis showed that the ReHo values in the right MFG were positively correlated with attention/vigilance impairments, social cognition deficits, the severity of clinical manifestations. Conclusions These findings suggested that abnormal spontaneous activities in the right MFG reflect the illness severity and cognitive deficits, which serves as a basis for establishing the objective diagnostic markers and might be a clinical intervention target for patients with schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Relationships between abnormal neural activities and cognitive impairments in patients with drug-naive first-episode schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yan ◽  
Rongrong Zhang ◽  
Min Zhou ◽  
Shuiping Lu ◽  
Wenmei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Prior resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies via the regional homogeneity (ReHo) method have demonstrated inconsistent and conflicting results because of several confounding factors, such as small sample size, medicinal influence, and illness duration. Relationships between ReHo measures and cognitive impairments in patients with drug-naive first-episode schizophrenia (dn-FES) are rarely reported. This study was conducted to explore the correlations between ReHo measures, cognitive deficits, and clinical symptoms in patients with dn-FES. Methods: A total of 69 patients with dn-FES and 74 healthy controls were recruited. MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess cognitive function, intelligence quotient (IQ), and clinical symptoms, respectively. The correlations between ReHo map and cognitive deficits, the severity of symptoms were examined using strict correlation analyses within brain areas.Results: The ReHo values in the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) increased in the dn-FES group, whereas the ReHo values in the right cuneus decreased. Correlation analysis showed that the ReHo values in the right MFG were positively correlated with attention/vigilance impairments, social cognition deficits, the severity of clinical manifestations. Conclusions: These findings suggested that abnormal spontaneous activities in the right MFG reflect the illness severity and cognitive deficits, which serves as a basis for establishing the objective diagnostic markers and might be a clinical intervention target for patients with schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Abnormalities of EEG Microstates In Drug-Naïve, First-Episode Schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaoling Sun ◽  
Linlin Zhao ◽  
Liwen Tan
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Class D ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Drug Naïve ◽  
Microstate Analysis ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Objective: Microstate analysis is a powerful tool to probe the brain functions, and changes in microstates under electroencephalography (EEG) have been repeatedly reported in patients with schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of EEG microstates in drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia (FE-SCH) and to test the relationship between EEG microstates and clinical symptoms.Methods: Resting-state EEG were recorded for 23 patients with FE-SCH and 23 healthy controls using a 64-channel cap. Three parameters, i.e., contribution, duration, and occurrence, of the four microstate classes were calculated. Group differences in EEG microstates and their clinical symptoms (assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) were analyzed.Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients with FE-SCH showed increased duration, occurrence and contribution of microstate class C and decreased contribution and occurrence of microstate class D. In addition, the score of positive symptoms in PANSS was negatively correlated with the occurrence of microstate D.Conclusions: Our findings showed abnormal patterns of EEG microstates in drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenia, which might help distinguish individuals with schizophrenia in the early stage and develop early intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Effect of tDCS over the Right Inferior Parietal Lobule on Mind-Wandering Propensity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Coulborn ◽  
Howard Bowman ◽  
Chris Miall ◽  
Davinia Fernández-Espejo
Keyword(s):  
Mind Wandering ◽  
Inferior Parietal Lobule ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Default Mode ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Parietal Lobule ◽  
Response Task ◽  
Thought Probes ◽  
The Right ◽  
Subjective Reports

Mind-wandering is associated with switching our attention to internally directed thoughts and is by definition an intrinsic, self-generated cognitive function. Interestingly, previous research showed that it may be possible to modulate its propensity externally, with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting different regions in the default mode and executive control networks. However, these studies used highly heterogeneous montages (targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL), or both concurrently), often showed contradicting results, and in many cases failed to replicate. Our study aimed to establish whether tDCS of the default mode network, via targeting the right IPL alone, could modulate mind-wandering propensity using a within-subjects double-blind, counterbalanced design. Participants completed a sustained attention to response task (SART) interspersed with thought-probes to capture their subjective reports of mind-wandering before and after receiving anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS over the right IPL (with the reference over the left cheek). We found evidence for the lack of an effect of stimulation on subjective reports of mind-wandering (JZS-BF01 = 5.19), as well as on performance on the SART task (errors (JZS-BF01 = 6.79) and reaction time (JZS-BF01 = 5.94). Overall, we failed to replicate previous reports of successful modulations of mind-wandering propensity with tDCS over the IPL, instead providing evidence in support of the lack of an effect. This, and other recent unsuccessful replications call into question whether it is indeed possible to externally modulate spontaneous or self-generated cognitive processes.

scholarly journals Altered amygdala-based functional connectivity in individuals with attenuated psychosis syndrome and first-episode schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo-Sung Kim ◽  
Guangfan Shen ◽  
Congcong Liu ◽  
Nam-In Kang ◽  
Keon-Hak Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Frontal Pole ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Altered resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of the amygdala (AMY) has been demonstrated to be implicated in schizophrenia (SZ) and attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS). Specifically, no prior work has investigated FC in individuals with APS using subregions of the AMY as seed regions of interest. The present study examined AMY subregion-based FC in individuals with APS and first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and healthy controls (HCs). The resting state FC maps of the three AMY subregions were computed and compared across the three groups. Correlation analysis was also performed to examine the relationship between the Z-values of regions showing significant group differences and symptom rating scores. Individuals with APS showed hyperconnectivity between the right centromedial AMY (CMA) and left frontal pole cortex (FPC) and between the laterobasal AMY and brain stem and right inferior lateral occipital cortex compared to HCs. Patients with FES showed hyperconnectivity between the right superficial AMY and left occipital pole cortex and between the left CMA and left thalamus compared to the APS and HCs respectively. A negative relationship was observed between the connectivity strength of the CMA with the FPC and negative-others score of the Brief Core Schema Scales in the APS group. We observed different altered FC with subregions of the AMY in individuals with APS and FES compared to HCs. These results shed light on the pathogenetic mechanisms underpinning the development of APS and SZ.

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