Hypogyrification in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Associated with Insomnia Symptoms

Insomnia is a recognized feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The underlying neural substrate of insomnia in GAD is still unclear. Cortical folding is a reliable index and possibly an endophenotype of psychiatric disease. The aim of this study was to explore whether the aberrant cortical morphology was associated with insomnia in GAD.

We enrolled 73 patients with GAD and 74 matched healthy controls (HCs) to undergo neuropsychiatric assessment and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Neuropsychiatric batteries included the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Using FreeSurfer7.1.1, we calculated local gyrification index, cortical thickness and surface area and identified group differences in these parameters. Then, we calculated the functional connectivity of these identified regions and determined functional alterations. The relationship between these neuroimaging indicators and clinical measurement was explored.

Compared with HCs, the LGI in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), bilateral insula, left middle frontal gyrus, left temporal pole, and left fusiform area was significantly decreased in GAD. GAD patients had concurrent decreased surface area in the left OFC and thicker right OFC. GAD patients also exhibited increased functional connectivity between the left insula and frontoparietal control network. In addition, a negative relationship was observed between decreased LGI in these limbic regions and ISI score.

GAD patients presented aberrant cortical folding in limbic network. Cortical morphology is a potential endophenotype in GAD, corresponding to an insomnia phenotype.