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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Neuropsychological disturbance in schizophrenia: a diffusion tensor imaging study.
Paul G Nestor1, Marek Kubicki, Margaret Niznikiewicz
1Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA. paul.nestor@umb.edu
Neuropsychology
|March 12, 2008
Summary
Schizophrenia patients show distinct brain pathway damage. Reduced integrity in the cingulum bundle (CB) impacts executive function, while uncinate fasciculus (UF) damage affects memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with cognitive deficits.
- White matter abnormalities in specific brain tracts may underlie these deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the integrity of the cingulum bundle (CB) and uncinate fasciculus (UF) and cognitive functions in schizophrenia.
- To test the hypothesis of dissociable neuroanatomical relationships for executive functioning (CB) and episodic memory (UF).
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography were used to quantify CB and UF integrity in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.
- Neuropsychological evaluations assessed executive functioning, episodic memory, and general intelligence.
Main Results:
- Reduced white matter integrity in the CB specifically predicted deficits in executive functioning.
- Reduced white matter integrity in the UF specifically predicted deficits in episodic memory.
- CB integrity also correlated with generalized intelligence and visual memory.
Conclusions:
- The cingulum bundle (CB) and uncinate fasciculus (UF) integrity are differentially associated with specific cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
- These findings highlight distinct neuroanatomical contributions to neuropsychological disturbance in schizophrenia.
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