Exploring the neural correlates of delusions of reference

Referential delusions are the most common symptom of schizophrenia and offer an opportunity to examine the neural correlates of delusions because they occur in discrete episodes that can be studied in the scanner. The cortical midline structures (CMS) and subcortical regions, including the amygdala and striatum, are linked with self-reference in healthy adults. Less is known about the neural substrates of altered self-reference in schizophrenia.

In this study, patients with schizophrenia experiencing prominent referential delusions (n = 18) and healthy control subjects (n = 17) were presented with ambiguous sentences while in the magnetic resonance imaging scanner and asked to rate whether they felt the sentences had been written specifically about them. The sentences were either generic (nonpersonalized) or individually tailored personalized sentences, designed to induce referential ideation. We hypothesized that both groups would show activity in the CMS, limbic, and striatal regions and that induced referential ideation would be associated with greater activity in striatal areas in patients with schizophrenia.

A robust main effect of endorsement (endorsed vs. nonendorsed) was observed in the CMS, as well as subcortical regions, including the nucleus accumbens/ventral striatum, amygdala, insula, and midbrain dopamine regions. A group-by-endorsement interaction was seen in the medial prefrontal cortex, insula and nucleus accumbens/ventral striatum. Activity in insula and ventral striatum also correlated with the strength of the delusions of reference.

Referential ideation in persons with delusions is associated with heightened CMS, limbic and striatal activity and reduced differentiation between self- and non-self-relevant information.