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Published on: September 12, 2011
Neural activation and radial diffusivity in schizophrenia: combined fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging study
Kathrin Koch1, Gerd Wagner, Claudia Schachtzabel
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany. kathrin.koch@med.uni-jena.de
Summary
Radial diffusivity, a marker of white matter changes in schizophrenia, was linked to abnormal neural activation during decision-making. Increased radial diffusivity in temporal white matter correlated with reduced brain network activity in patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is linked to widespread white matter structure changes.
- Previous research focused on fractional anisotropy, neglecting radial and axial diffusivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate radial diffusivity as a marker for dysmyelination in schizophrenia.
- Relate radial diffusivity to neural activation abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measured radial diffusivity.
- Neural activation during decision-making under uncertainty was assessed.
- 19 individuals with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls participated.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia group showed decreased activation in a frontostriatocingulate network during decision-making.
- Increased radial diffusivity was observed in temporal white matter in schizophrenia.
- This increased radial diffusivity negatively correlated with frontostriatocingulate network activation.
Conclusions:
- Altered radial diffusivity in white matter networks is closely associated with abnormal neural activation in schizophrenia.
- Radial diffusivity may serve as a key indicator of white matter integrity and its relation to cognitive function in schizophrenia.
