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Updated: Nov 2, 2025
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
White matter impairments in patients with schizophrenia: A multisite diffusion MRI study
Sung Woo Joo1, Harin Kim1, Young Tak Jo1
1Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
There is a lack of convincing and replicative findings regarding white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia. Several multisite diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) studies have been conducted to increase statistical power and reveal subtle white matter changes. Data pooling methods are crucial in joint analysis to compensate for the use of different scanners and image acquisition parameters. A harmonization method using raw dMRI data was developed to overcome the limited generalizability of previous data pooling methods. We obtained dMRI data of 242 healthy controls and 190 patients with schizophrenia from four different study sites. After applying the harmonization method to the raw dMRI data, a two-tensor whole-brain tractography was performed, and diffusion measures were compared between the two groups. The correlation of fractional anisotropy (FA) with the positive and negative symptoms was evaluated, and the interaction effect of diagnosis-by-age, age-squared, and sex was examined. The following white matter tracts showed significant group differences in the FA: the right superior longitudinal fascicle (SLF), the left-to-right lateral orbitofrontal commissural tract, pars orbitalis (pOr-pOr) commissural tract, and pars triangularis (pTr-pTr) commissural tract. The FA of the right SLF and pTr-pTr commissural tract were significantly associated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive and negative scores. No significant interaction effect was observed. These findings add to the evidence on structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenia and can aid in obtaining a better understanding of the biological foundations of schizophrenia.
Insights
This study reveals significant white matter differences in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia using harmonized diffusion MRI data. Specific tracts, like the right superior longitudinal fascicle, showed altered fractional anisotropy linked to symptom severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatric Disorders
- Brain Structure
Background:
- Schizophrenia research lacks consistent findings on white matter abnormalities.
- Multisite diffusion MRI studies aim to increase statistical power for detecting subtle changes.
- Data harmonization is essential for combining multisite dMRI data from different scanners and parameters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia using a novel harmonization method for multisite dMRI data.
- To identify specific white matter tracts with altered diffusion properties in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy controls.
- To explore the correlation between white matter integrity and clinical symptoms in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- A harmonization technique was applied to raw dMRI data from four study sites.
- Two-tensor whole-brain tractography was performed on data from 242 healthy controls and 190 schizophrenia patients.
- Diffusion measures, particularly fractional anisotropy (FA), were compared between groups, and correlations with symptom scales were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant group differences in FA were found in the right superior longitudinal fascicle (SLF), left-to-right lateral orbitofrontal commissural tract, pars orbitalis (pOr-pOr) commissural tract, and pars triangularis (pTr-pTr) commissural tract.
- FA in the right SLF and pTr-pTr commissural tract correlated with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive and negative symptom scores.
- No significant interaction effects were observed for diagnosis-by-age, age-squared, or sex.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence for structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenia, specifically in white matter tracts.
- The findings contribute to understanding the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia.
- The developed harmonization method enhances the generalizability of multisite dMRI studies in psychiatric research.
