Developmental abnormalities of the hippocampus in first-episode schizophrenia
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Published on: August 18, 2020
Geoffrey N Smith1, Donna J Lang, Lili C Kopala
1Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Schizophrenia patients show larger hippocampal fissures (HF), suggesting abnormal neurodevelopment. Larger HF size correlates with poor education and anxiety-depression symptoms, indicating potential stress sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The human hippocampus develops in the first trimester, forming a fissure (HF) in the second.
- HF walls typically fuse by 30 weeks gestation; disruptions can cause residual cavities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the presence of hippocampal fissures in schizophrenia.
- Assess the relationship between HF size and illness features.
Main Methods:
- MRI scans of 33 first-episode schizophrenia patients and 19 healthy controls.
- Semi-automated HF volume measurement and manual hippocampal tracing.
- Assessment of birth history and premorbid functioning via maternal report.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients had significantly larger mean HF volumes.
- HF size correlated with poor educational achievement and anxiety-depression symptoms.
- Smaller hippocampal volume was linked to poorer premorbid adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Enlarged HFs in schizophrenia suggest abnormal neurodevelopment.
- HF size associations indicate potential links to stress sensitivity and illness onset symptoms.
Background:
The human hippocampus becomes visible during the first trimester and folds to form the hippocampal fissure (HF) in the second trimester. The walls of this fissure fuse by 30 weeks, although small residual cavities can occur if development is disrupted. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if hippocampal fissures are evident in schizophrenia. A second goal was to assess the association between HF size and premorbid and clinical features of the illness.
Methods:
Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on 33 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 19 healthy volunteers. Hippocampal fissures were measured using semi-automated procedures, and hippocampi were manually traced. Birth history and premorbid functioning were assessed using maternal report.
Results:
Patients had a significantly larger mean HF volume and a nonsignificantly smaller hippocampal volume. Hippocampal fissure size was significantly associated with poor educational achievement and with anxiety-depression symptoms during the onset of illness. Smaller hippocampal size was associated with poor premorbid adjustment.
Conclusions:
Larger HF size and an association between low educational achievement and enlarged HFs suggest abnormal neurodevelopment in schizophrenia. The association between HF size and anxiety-depression symptoms suggests that hippocampal abnormalities underlying HF dilatation may be a predisposing factor for increased stress sensitivity.
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