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Altered microstructure integrity of the amygdala in schizophrenia: a bimodal MRI and DWI study
B Tomasino1, M Bellani, C Perlini
1Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Udine, Italy.
Background:
The amygdala plays a central role in the fronto-limbic network involved in the processing of emotions. Structural and functional abnormalities of the amygdala have recently been found in schizophrenia, although there are still contradictory results about its reduced or preserved volumes.
Method:
In order to address these contradictory findings and to further elucidate the possibly underlying pathophysiological process of the amygdala, we employed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), exploring amygdalar volume and microstructural changes in 69 patients with schizophrenia and 72 matched healthy subjects, relating these indices to psychopathological measures.
Results:
Measuring water diffusivity, the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for the right amygdala were found to be significantly greater in patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls, with a trend for abnormally reduced volumes. Also, significant correlations between mood symptoms and amygdalar volumes were found in schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
We therefore provide evidence that schizophrenia is associated with disrupted tissue organization of the right amygdala, despite partially preserved size, which may ultimately lead to abnormal emotional processing in schizophrenia. This result confirms the major role of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and is discussed with respect to amygdalar structural and functional abnormalities found in patients suffering from this illness.
Insights
Schizophrenia is linked to disrupted tissue organization in the right amygdala, impacting emotional processing. This study used MRI and DWI to investigate amygdalar changes in patients with schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The amygdala is crucial for emotion processing within the fronto-limbic network.
- Structural and functional amygdala abnormalities are implicated in schizophrenia, but findings on volume are inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate amygdalar volume and microstructural changes in schizophrenia.
- To clarify contradictory findings regarding amygdalar volume in schizophrenia patients.
- To correlate amygdalar indices with psychopathological measures.
Main Methods:
- Employed structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
- Examined amygdalar volume and microstructural integrity.
- Included 69 patients with schizophrenia and 72 matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly greater apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in the right amygdala of schizophrenia patients, indicating disrupted tissue organization.
- A trend towards reduced amygdalar volumes in patients.
- Significant correlations between mood symptoms and amygdalar volumes in schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia is associated with disrupted right amygdala tissue organization, despite partially preserved volume.
- These microstructural changes may underlie abnormal emotional processing in schizophrenia.
- Confirms the amygdala's significant role in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
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