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Optical coherence tomography in patients with schizophrenia: An exploratory study
Shashidhara Munivenkatappa1, Pratyusha Ganne2, Muralidhar Parri2
1Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh 522503, India.
Psychiatry Research. Neuroimaging
|March 11, 2025
Summary
Schizophrenia patients show mixed macular changes, including increased central thickness and thinning in outer regions, suggesting potential inflammation. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) reveals these retinal differences, offering insights into neurodegeneration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Neurodegeneration is key in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
- Conventional brain imaging has limited early detection sensitivity.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) offers noninvasive retinal assessment for central nervous system insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macular structural differences in schizophrenia patients using OCT.
- To explore associations between retinal changes and clinical characteristics.
Main Methods:
- 36 schizophrenia patients and 31 healthy controls (aged 18-45) underwent OCT.
- Macular thickness and volume were measured across nine retinal regions.
- Comparative t-tests and correlational analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia patients showed increased macular thickness in central and outer superior regions.
- Significant thinning was observed in multiple outer and inner temporal/nasal quadrants.
- Macular volume was reduced in patients, though not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia exhibits a mixed pattern of macular structural changes.
- These findings suggest potential inflammatory processes in the macula.
- Further research into the etiopathogenesis of these inflammatory changes is warranted for understanding schizophrenia.
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