Linked patterns of interhemispheric functional connectivity and microstructural characteristics of the corpus callosum in antipsychotic-naive first-episode schizophrenia

Aberrant interhemispheric resting state functional connectivity and corpus callosum microstructure in acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Acute carbon monoxide poisoning (ACOP) is a significant contributor to acute poisoning incidents worldwide, with numerous patients suffering from cognitive impairment. Growing evidence indicates that patients with ACOP exhibit both disrupted functional connectivity and corpus callosum (CC) degeneration. Nevertheless, how interhemispheric connectivity is altered in ACOP and how such alterations relate to cognitive deficits remain largely unexplored. In this study, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 30 patients with ACOP and 28 healthy controls (HC), and their cognitive functions were evaluated. Group differences in the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) index and CC white matter microstructure were analyzed. Furthermore, mediation analysis was conducted to elucidate the interrelationships among CC integrity, interhemispheric connectivity, and cognitive impairment. Compared to HC, patients with ACOP exhibited reduced VMHC values in the middle frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, precentral gyrus, and temporal regions, along with decreased fractional anisotropy values in the subregions of the CC, including the genu, body, and splenium. Partial correlation analyses showed that VMHC in the inferior parietal lobule positively correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale scores. In addition, VMHC in both the inferior parietal lobule and the middle temporal gyrus positively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic scores. Mediation analysis indicated that changes in interhemispheric connectivity played a crucial role in mediating the effect of CC integrity on cognitive impairment. Together, these findings may offer novel insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ACOP.

Advances in MRI Research for First-Episode Schizophrenia: A Selective Review and NSFC-Funded Analysis

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESES

The causes of schizophrenia remain unclear, and research has been hindered by the lack of quantifiable standards. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is addressing these challenges, revealing critical neurobiological details and emphasizing its importance in both evaluation and treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

First, we reviewed the progress of research on structural MRI (sMRI), functional MRI (fMRI), multimodal/multiomics analysis, artificial intelligence, and neuromodulation in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) over the past 5 years. Second, we summarize the current state of schizophrenia research funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) to facilitate academic exchange and cooperation both domestically and internationally.

STUDY RESULTS

sMRI has identified early neurodevelopmental biomarkers in FES patients, and fMRI has highlighted functional abnormalities across disease stages. Multimodal/multiomics analysis has revealed complex brain-neurobiology interactions. Neuromodulation techniques, which directly modulate neural activity in specific brain regions, offer promising long-term benefits for stabilizing conditions and enhancing patients' quality of life. NSFC-funded analysis shows China is increasing its funding for schizophrenia research, though funding distribution remains uneven. The research focus has shifted from a single perspective on brain structure and function to multichannel, multimodal comprehensive analysis methods. This progress has driven the integration of machine learning-driven multiomics research, aiming to construct disease classification models, explore disease mechanisms, and guide treatment from multidimensional and interdisciplinary perspectives.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI technology has provided new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia, especially the neurobiological foundations of the disease. Support from the NSFC provides a scientific and financial basis for future research and treatment, heralding scientific discoveries and technological innovations in this field and bringing hope to schizophrenia patients.

Hypo- and hyper-activation in frontotemporal lobe during humor processing in patients with first episode schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Patients with schizophrenia present difficulties in humor recognition and appreciation, but the neural mechanism of these deficits remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate neural substrates underlying humor processing in patients with first episode schizophrenia (FES).

METHODS

This study recruited 40 patients with FES (illness duration ≤ 4 years) and 31 healthy controls matching for age, gender and education level. Participants completed a fMRI verbal humor processing paradigm comprising 96 stories, half for funny punch-line condition and the other half for unfunny condition. Participants were required to judge whether the story was funny or not. Signal detection theory (SDT) analysis was used to calculate d' and β values which represented sensitivity and inner criteria for humor signals respectively. The funny-unfunny contrast was analyzed to identify the brain regions related with humor processing. d' and β values were put into the imaging regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with FES showed significantly lower hit rate and sensitivity of humor signals (d'). At the neural level, patients with FES hypo-activated in ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) while hyper-activated in middle temporal gyrus (MTG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) compared to controls. In addition, activity in vmPFC and ACC was positively associated with d' and β values, while activity in STG was positively associated with β values in the clinical group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FES exhibited decreased sensitivity to humor signals. Hypo-activation in frontal regions and hyper-activation in temporal regions were associated with the humor processing deficits.