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Auditory and Visual Thalamocortical Connectivity Alterations in Unmedicated People With Schizophrenia: An
John C Williams1, Philip N Tubiolo2, Roberto B Gil3
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Medical Scientist Training Program, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York.
Visual thalamocortical hyperconnectivity is a general marker in schizophrenia (SZ), while auditory circuit changes link to positive symptom severity. This study localized thalamic nuclei to examine these brain connections in people with SZ.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Thalamocortical circuit dysfunction is implicated in schizophrenia (SZ) pathophysiology.
- Preclinical models suggest reduced auditory thalamus to auditory cortex connectivity.
- Human neuroimaging shows generalized thalamus-sensorimotor cortex hyperconnectivity in people with SZ (PSZ).
Purpose of the Study:
- To translate preclinical findings by localizing auditory and visual thalamic nuclei in unmedicated PSZ.
- To measure resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) from these nuclei to primary sensory cortices.
- To investigate associations with positive symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Localized auditory and visual thalamic nuclei using a specialized fMRI task.
- Assessed group differences in thalamocortical connectivity and symptom severity.
Main Results:
- Auditory thalamocortical connectivity showed no significant group difference but correlated with positive symptom severity.
- Visual thalamocortical connectivity was significantly higher in PSZ compared to healthy controls (HCs) in visual cortex.
- Visual thalamocortical hyperconnectivity was not predictive of positive symptom severity.
Conclusions:
- Visual thalamocortical hyperconnectivity serves as a generalized marker for schizophrenia.
- Auditory thalamocortical circuit hyperconnectivity is specifically associated with positive symptom severity in schizophrenia.
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