Association between altered brain morphology and elevated peripheral endothelial markers--implications for psychotic...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
• Structural brain abnormalities are present in both disorders.
• The link between these factors and brain structure is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between inflammatory/endothelial markers and brain structure in psychotic disorders.
• To explore relationships in schizophrenia spectrum, affective spectrum, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Measured plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) and six inflammatory markers.
• Analyzed 16 brain structures using MRI in 356 participants.
• Examined marker-brain structure relationships across diagnostic groups.

Main Results:

• Positive association between plasma vWf and basal ganglia volume (p=2.5×10⁻⁴).
• vWf remained linked to increased basal ganglia volume after adjusting for diagnosis and medication.
• Higher vWf levels and basal ganglia volume observed in schizophrenia patients.

Conclusions:

• Strong positive correlation between vWf and basal ganglia volume, particularly the globus pallidus, irrespective of diagnosis.
• Significantly higher vWf levels in schizophrenia patients.
• Suggests a potential link between endothelial activation and basal ganglia morphology in schizophrenia.