Peripheral inflammation is associated with brain SPECT perfusion changes in schizophrenia

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Immunology

Background:

• Peripheral inflammation is common in schizophrenia and may influence disease progression and symptom persistence.
• Understanding the link between inflammation and brain function is crucial for developing targeted treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between peripheral inflammation markers and brain perfusion in schizophrenia patients.
• To determine if observed brain perfusion changes correlate with the persistence of psychotic symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Assessed highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and brain SPECT perfusion in 137 stabilized schizophrenia outpatients.
• Used voxel-based analysis to correlate hs-CRP levels with brain perfusion, and analyzed perfusion differences based on an hs-CRP threshold of 3 mg/L.
• Correlated identified brain perfusion changes with clinical symptom severity.

Main Results:

• A negative correlation was found between hs-CRP levels and perfusion in the right inferior frontal gyrus, right middle/superior temporal gyrus, left superior parietal lobe, and right postcentral/transverse temporal gyrus.
• Patients with hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/L showed increased left amygdala perfusion compared to those with lower hs-CRP levels.
• Reduced perfusion in the right inferior frontal gyrus correlated with persistent positive, negative, and excitement symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral inflammation is associated with altered brain perfusion patterns in stabilized schizophrenia patients.
• These perfusion changes, particularly in the right inferior frontal gyrus, are linked to the persistence of psychotic symptoms.
• Findings suggest a role for inflammation in schizophrenia pathophysiology and symptom maintenance.