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Neural dysfunction underlying working memory processing at different stages of the illness course in schizophrenia: a
Yuhao Yao1,2,3, Shufang Zhang4,5, Boyao Wang1,2,3
1Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 3, 2024
Summary
Schizophrenia (SCZ) shows consistent brain hypoactivation in early stages, particularly in the right inferior parietal lobule. Neural changes appear to reverse as the illness progresses to long-term schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic disorder with persistent working memory deficits.
- Neural mechanisms underlying these deficits are unclear, with inconsistent neuroimaging data.
- Understanding brain changes across SCZ stages is crucial for treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare brain functional changes in working memory across different stages of schizophrenia.
- To investigate neural mechanisms in clinical high risk, first-episode psychosis, and long-term schizophrenia patients.
- To identify distinct and overlapping neurofunctional patterns using meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic meta-analysis of 56 whole-brain task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies.
- Inclusion of studies on clinical high risk (15), first-episode psychosis (16), and long-term schizophrenia (25).
- Utilized Seed-based d Mapping (SDM) toolbox for neurofunctional analysis.
Main Results:
- Clinical high risk and first-episode psychosis groups showed overlapping hypoactivation in right inferior parietal lobule, right middle frontal gyrus, and left superior parietal lobule.
- These areas represent key lesion sites in early-stage schizophrenia.
- First-episode psychosis patients exhibited lower left inferior parietal lobule activation than long-term schizophrenia patients, suggesting recovery or inefficiency.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia (SCZ) progresses as a continuum in its early stages.
- Neural mechanisms show inverse changes from early to long-term illness progression.
- Working memory deficits in SCZ are linked to specific, stage-dependent brain functional alterations.
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