Microstructural changes along the cingulum in young adolescents with psychotic experiences: An along-tract analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Adolescent Psychiatry
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Psychotic experiences (PEs) like hallucinations and delusions are prevalent in adolescents without formal psychiatric diagnoses.
• PEs are often associated with brain connectivity and white matter abnormalities, particularly within the limbic system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate white matter tract alterations in adolescents with PEs using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• To examine the cingulum white matter tract along its entire length, rather than as a single structure.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion MRI was employed in a cohort of adolescents reporting PEs and matched controls.
• The cingulum white matter tract was analyzed segment by segment to identify regional differences in diffusion metrics.

Main Results:

• Significant regional differences in diffusion metrics were observed along the cingulum tract (p < .00013) with moderate to large effect sizes.
• These findings indicate complex, localized white matter alterations within the limbic system.

Conclusions:

• White matter alterations in the limbic system may be more widespread in the non-clinical adolescent population than previously recognized.
• A granular, along-tract analysis is crucial for uncovering subtle white matter abnormalities associated with PEs.