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Evidence for progressive brain abnormalities in early schizophrenia: a cross-sectional structural and functional
Fangfang Zhang1, Linlin Qiu2, Lili Yuan1
1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, PR China.
Schizophrenia Research
|September 2, 2014
Summary
Early schizophrenia involves progressive brain changes. Structural and functional brain network connectivity decreases over time, correlating with illness duration in patients with schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Schizophrenia's progressive nature remains debated.
- Early-stage schizophrenia research requires minimizing medication effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate progressive brain abnormalities in early schizophrenia.
- To assess structural and functional brain networks in drug-naive or minimally treated patients.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were used.
- Compared 28 early schizophrenia patients (illness duration ≤ 3 years) with 26 healthy controls.
- Analyzed intergroup differences and illness duration correlations.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients showed reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum and corona radiata.
- FA values negatively correlated with illness duration in these regions.
- Reduced functional connectivity was observed in the default mode network (DMN), specifically between the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC).
- Left TPJ connectivity with PCC and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) weakened with increased illness duration.
Conclusions:
- Early schizophrenia exhibits decreased structural and functional brain network connectivity.
- These connectivity deficits worsen with longer illness duration, supporting progressive brain abnormalities.
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