Breakdown of the striatal-default mode network loop in schizophrenia
Xiangpeng Wang1, Fenghua Li1, Hanfeng Zheng2
1Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Abstract:
The striatum has been shown to be a core region in schizophrenia with functional and structural deficits. Previous studies have confirmed the schizophrenia-related functional connectivity between the striatal and cortical regions. However, among these, few studies have attempted to determine the directional flow of the influence. In the present study, we used resting-state fMRI to explore the directed connectivity between the striatum and the cortical regions in schizophrenia. Employing a Granger causality analysis, we observed a significant failure of the directed inhibitory influence of the striatum on the default mode network (DMN) in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the reciprocal influence of the DMN on the striatum was also significantly reduced. These findings provide compelling evidence for a breakdown of the striatum-DMN loop in schizophrenia. This abnormal connectivity could be related to clinical variables. In conclusion, our study suggests that abnormally directed influences between the striatum and the DMN might be a biomarker of schizophrenia and also reveals a potential target for treatment.
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