A Data-Driven Psychiatric Disorder Subtype Defined by Significant Enlarged Ventricles and Cognitive Impairment: A...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Genetics

Background:

• A novel psychiatric disorder subtype, enlarged ventricles and cognitive impairment (EVCI), was previously identified using neuroimaging data.
• Validation across independent cohorts is crucial for confirming these initial findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the existence of the EVCI subtype in independent cohorts.
• To assess cognitive impairment (CI) and compare characteristics between EVCI and EV-nonCI groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cognitive data from the Cognitive Genetics Collaborative Research Organization (COCORO) project.
• Compared prevalence of CI, lateral ventricular volume, and demographics between EVCI and EV-nonCI groups.
• Analyzed intellectual quotient (IQ) and lateral ventricular volume Z scores.

Main Results:

• EVCI subtype was identified in 5 of 27 individuals (18.5%) with enlarged ventricles (EV), all diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• The EVCI group exhibited significantly lower current IQ scores (p=5.8×10⁻⁴) but not premorbid IQ (p=0.56).
• No significant difference in lateral ventricular volume Z scores was found between EVCI and EV-nonCI groups (p=0.26).

Conclusions:

• This study successfully validated the EVCI subgroup in independent cohorts.
• Findings support the existence of a distinct psychiatric disorder subtype characterized by enlarged ventricles and cognitive impairment.
• The EVCI subtype is associated with schizophrenia and impaired current cognitive function.