Changes in Brain Structure, Function, and Network Properties in Patients With First-Episode Schizophrenia Treated...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Schizophrenia is a complex disorder requiring effective treatment strategies.
• Longitudinal brain analysis is crucial for understanding antipsychotic drug effects.
• First-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients represent a critical window for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate structural, functional, and network property changes in FES patients after antipsychotic therapy.
• To explore the relationship between these brain changes and clinical symptom severity.
• To provide insights into the neurobiological impact of antipsychotic treatment.

Main Methods:

• Enrolled 30 FES patients (antipsychotic-naive and treated) and 30 healthy controls.
• Utilized structural and functional MRI to assess gray matter volume (GMV), ALFF, and ReHo.
• Measured clinical severity using PANSS and CGI scores over a 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Antipsychotic treatment associated with increased GMV in cerebellum, temporal gyrus, frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and parietal lobule.
• Observed reduced GMV in occipital lobe and orbital frontal cortex.
• Detected increased ALFF in frontal and precentral gyri, alongside altered network properties (reduced path length, increased global efficiency).

Conclusions:

• Antipsychotic treatment induces significant structural and functional brain alterations in FES patients.
• Observed gray matter volume changes correlate with clinical symptom improvement.
• Findings highlight the neuroplastic effects of antipsychotics and their potential to normalize brain function.