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Focal white matter density changes in schizophrenia: reduced inter-hemispheric connectivity
Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol1, Hugo G Schnack, René C W Mandl
1Neuroscience Division, A01.126, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands. h.e.hulshoff@psych.azu.nl
Neuroimage
|January 27, 2004
Summary
Schizophrenia is linked to reduced white matter density in key brain areas like the corpus callosum. These white matter changes correlate with gray matter deficits and illness severity, suggesting disrupted brain connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with gray matter abnormalities in frontal, temporal, and limbic regions.
- These gray matter changes suggest potential white matter fiber network alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate focal white matter density changes in schizophrenia.
- To determine if white matter abnormalities correlate with gray matter changes and illness severity.
Main Methods:
- Whole-brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used.
- Voxel-based morphometry analyzed white matter density in 159 schizophrenia patients and 158 healthy controls.
- Correlations between white matter density, gray matter density, and illness severity were examined.
Main Results:
- Patients with schizophrenia showed decreased white matter density in the corpus callosum, anterior internal capsule, and anterior commissure.
- Illness severity correlated with lower corpus callosum and anterior commissure density.
- Specific white matter reductions were associated with gray matter changes in various brain regions.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest aberrant inter-hemispheric connectivity in schizophrenia.
- Decreased white matter density may reflect reduced hemispheric specialization in schizophrenia.