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Published on: August 18, 2020
Insight, grey matter and cognitive function in first-onset psychosis
Kevin D Morgan1, Paola Dazzan, Craig Morgan
1Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2UW, UK. k.d.morgan@westminster.ac.uk
Summary
Poor insight in first-episode psychosis is linked to reduced neuropsychological function and grey matter deficits in the posterior cingulate gyrus and right precuneus/cuneus. These brain regions may support self-appraisal of illness symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Neuropsychological and structural brain deficits are associated with impaired insight.
- Limited research has integrated neurocognitive and neuroanatomical measures in insight studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate insight, brain structure, and neurocognition in individuals with first-episode psychosis.
- Specifically examined the ability to relabel psychotic symptoms as pathological.
Main Methods:
- Acquired voxel-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 82 individuals with psychosis and 91 controls.
- Administered a brief neuropsychological test battery and used the Schedule for the Assessment of Insight.
Main Results:
- Reduced general neuropsychological function correlated with poor symptom relabelling ability.
- Individuals with no symptom relabelling ability exhibited significant global and regional grey matter deficits.
- Deficits were primarily located in the posterior cingulate gyrus and right precuneus/cuneus.
Conclusions:
- The posterior cingulate gyrus, part of the midline cortical system, is implicated in illness self-appraisal.
- Right hemisphere regions may also play a role in symptom self-appraisal in early psychosis.
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