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White matter volume changes in people who develop psychosis
Mark Walterfang1, Philip K McGuire, Alison R Yung
1Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Level 2, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 3050 Australia. mark.walterfang@mh.org.au
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|September 2, 2008
Summary
Individuals transitioning to psychosis show white matter volume changes, specifically reductions in the left fronto-occipital fasciculus, suggesting altered white matter integrity preceding psychosis onset.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Grey matter alterations are noted in pre- and peri-psychotic individuals.
- It remains unclear if white matter structures also change during these early stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter changes in pre-psychotic individuals.
- To determine if these changes precede or accompany the transition to psychosis.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess regional white matter volume.
- 75 individuals with prodromal symptoms were studied at baseline.
- A subset (n=21) underwent follow-up MRI at 12-18 months, with participants categorized by psychosis development.
Main Results:
- Individuals who later developed psychosis had larger baseline white matter volumes in the frontal lobe, especially the left hemisphere.
- A reduction in white matter volume was observed in the left fronto-occipital fasciculus in those who developed psychosis.
- Those who did not develop psychosis showed no white matter volume reduction but increases near the right inferior parietal lobule.
Conclusions:
- Reduced white matter volume near the left fronto-occipital fasciculus may indicate tract changes associated with the onset of psychosis.
- These findings highlight potential white matter alterations in the pathway to psychosis.
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