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Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging Evaluation of Callosal Abnormalities in Schizophrenia: A Meta-Analysis
Chuanjun Zhuo1, Mei Liu1, Lina Wang1
1Department of Psychiatry Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Tianjin Mental Health Centre, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Plos One
|August 19, 2016
Summary
Schizophrenia patients show reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum (CC), a key brain connector. This white matter abnormality was consistent across CC subregions and patient groups, including chronic and first-episode schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- White Matter Disorders
Background:
- Schizophrenia is associated with widespread white matter (WM) abnormalities.
- The corpus callosum (CC), crucial for interhemispheric communication, is frequently studied in schizophrenia.
- Previous studies on CC subregions in schizophrenia have yielded inconsistent findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis to consistently evaluate diffusion characteristics changes in the corpus callosum (CC) in schizophrenia.
- To aggregate fractional anisotropy (FA) data from multiple studies to determine overall CC integrity in schizophrenia patients.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was performed on data from 22 studies.
- Included were 729 patients with schizophrenia and 682 healthy controls.
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) values from various CC subregions were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Overall FA values in the CC were significantly lower in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls (WMD = -0.021, P < 0.001).
- Reduced FA was observed in both the genu (WMD = -0.019, P < 0.001) and splenium (WMD = -0.020, P < 0.001) regions of the CC.
- Significant FA reductions were found in both chronic (WMD = -0.032, P < 0.001) and first-episode schizophrenia (WMD = -0.014, P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis demonstrates a significant overall decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) within the corpus callosum (CC) of individuals with schizophrenia.
- The observed FA reduction is consistent across CC subregions and different stages of the illness.
- Future research should focus on more homogenous populations and standardized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocols to further elucidate these findings.
