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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
Magnitude and variability of structural brain abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disease: protocol for a network
Robert McCutcheon1, Toby Pillinger2, George Welby2
1Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK robert.mccutcheon@kcl.ac.uk.
Introduction:
Structural MRI is the most frequently used method to investigate brain volume alterations in neuropsychiatric disease. Previous meta-analyses have typically focused on a single diagnosis, thereby precluding transdiagnostic comparisons.
Methods And Analysis:
We will include all structural MRI studies of adults that report brain volumes for participants from at least two of the following diagnostic groups: healthy controls, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic depression, clinical high risk for psychosis, schizotypal personality disorder, psychosis unspecified, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, emotionally unstable personality disorder, 22q11 deletion syndrome, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, mixed anxiety and depression. Network meta-analysis will be used to synthesise eligible studies. The primary analysis will examine standardised mean difference in average volume, a secondary analysis will examine differences in variability of volumes.
Discussion:
This network meta-analysis will provide a transdiagnostic integration of structural neuroimaging studies, providing researchers with a valuable summary of a large literature.
Prospero Registration Number:
CRD42020221143.
Insights
This study uses network meta-analysis to compare brain volumes across multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. It aims to provide a comprehensive transdiagnostic overview of structural neuroimaging findings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for studying brain volume changes in neuropsychiatric diseases.
- Existing meta-analyses often focus on single diagnoses, limiting transdiagnostic comparisons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a transdiagnostic meta-analysis of structural MRI studies.
- To compare brain volume alterations across a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of adult structural MRI studies reporting brain volumes for at least two diagnostic groups.
- Network meta-analysis to synthesize data on average volume and volume variability.
- Analysis of standardized mean differences in brain volumes.
Main Results:
- This section is to be filled after the study is conducted.
Conclusions:
- The network meta-analysis will offer a unified view of structural neuroimaging research.
- Provides a valuable summary of extensive literature for researchers in the field.
