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Overlapping and segregating structural brain abnormalities in twins with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol1, G Caroline M van Baal, Hugo G Schnack
1Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. h.e.hulshoff@umcutrecht.nl
Archives of General Psychiatry
|April 5, 2012
Summary
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share overlapping brain structure abnormalities, indicating common genetic roots. These findings challenge traditional diagnostic boundaries and suggest shared neurodevelopmental origins for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- The nosologic distinction between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD) is increasingly questioned due to shared genetic origins.
- While both disorders involve brain structure changes, family studies indicate both overlapping and distinct neuroanatomical abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate overlapping brain volume and cortical thickness abnormalities in schizophrenia and BD.
- To determine if these abnormalities stem from shared genetic or environmental influences.
Main Methods:
- Utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs.
- Included twin pairs discordant for schizophrenia, concordant/discordant for BD, and healthy controls.
- Employed structural equation modeling to analyze genetic and environmental influences.
Main Results:
- Shared genetic liabilities for schizophrenia and BD were linked to smaller white matter volume and thinner parahippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex.
- Genetic liability for schizophrenia was associated with thicker parietal cortex, while BD was linked to larger intracranial volume.
- Environmental liabilities influenced medial occipital cortex thickness.
Conclusions:
- Brain structure abnormalities reflect both shared and distinct genetic liabilities for schizophrenia and BD.
- Overlapping findings, such as reduced white matter volume and thinner cortical areas, suggest shared genetic neurodevelopmental origins.
- These results support the blurring of diagnostic lines between schizophrenia and BD.
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