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Updated: May 25, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Myelination deficits in schizophrenia: evidence from diffusion tensor imaging
M Scheel1, T Prokscha, M Bayerl
1Department of Neuroradiology, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. michael.scheel@charite.de
Background:
Diffusion Tensor Imaging studies have repeatedly shown a decrease of the fractional anisotropy (FA) parameter in patients with schizophrenia. This has been interpreted as a disturbed microstructural integrity of white matter. However, FA is a relative parameter that is derived from eigenvalues of the diffusion tensor and FA reductions may be the result of decreases in parallel diffusivity (PD) or increases in radial diffusivity (RD). Despite the well-established FA reduction in schizophrenia, little is known what this reduction is based on.
Methods:
Seventeen patients with schizophrenia were scanned with a DTI protocol and compared to a group of healthy control subjects. In addition to an FA comparison, a detailed analysis of PD and RD values was performed with two approaches to localize changes in diffusion values, i.e. a voxel-based analysis and an anatomically based tract specific analysis.
Results:
We found significantly decreased FA values in the patient group when compared to healthy controls. FA decreases were based on an increase in RD, while we observed no significant changes of PD. These changes were predominantly localized in frontal and temporal areas.
Conclusion:
RD increases as the underlying change in FA decreases is suggestive of desintegration of myelin, which is in line with histopathological studies suggesting a disturbed myelination in schizophrenia.
Insights
Schizophrenia patients show decreased white matter integrity, specifically due to increased radial diffusivity (RD), not parallel diffusivity (PD). This finding suggests disrupted myelination in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
Background:
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) studies consistently report reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in schizophrenia patients, indicating compromised white matter microstructure.
- FA is a relative measure; reductions can stem from decreased parallel diffusivity (PD) or increased radial diffusivity (RD).
- The specific microstructural basis for FA reduction in schizophrenia remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying microstructural changes (PD and RD) contributing to reduced FA in schizophrenia.
- To localize these diffusion changes within specific white matter tracts and brain regions.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen schizophrenia patients and healthy controls underwent DTI scanning.
- Voxel-based and tract-specific analyses were employed to examine FA, PD, and RD values.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly lower FA compared to controls.
- The observed FA reduction was primarily attributed to increased RD, with no significant changes in PD.
- These alterations were predominantly found in frontal and temporal white matter regions.
Conclusions:
- Increased RD, underlying the decreased FA in schizophrenia, suggests myelin sheath disintegration.
- This finding aligns with histopathological evidence pointing to disturbed myelination in schizophrenia.
- DTI-based diffusion parameter analysis offers insights into white matter abnormalities in psychiatric disorders.
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