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Vieira S, Bolton TAW, Schöttner M, Baecker L, Marquand A, Mechelli A, Hagmann P. Multivariate brain-behaviour associations in psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:231. [PMID: 38824172 PMCID: PMC11144193 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Mapping brain-behaviour associations is paramount to understand and treat psychiatric disorders. Standard approaches involve investigating the association between one brain and one behavioural variable (univariate) or multiple variables against one brain/behaviour feature ('single' multivariate). Recently, large multimodal datasets have propelled a new wave of studies that leverage on 'doubly' multivariate approaches capable of parsing the multifaceted nature of both brain and behaviour simultaneously. Within this movement, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and partial least squares (PLS) emerge as the most popular techniques. Both seek to capture shared information between brain and behaviour in the form of latent variables. We provide an overview of these methods, review the literature in psychiatric disorders, and discuss the main challenges from a predictive modelling perspective. We identified 39 studies across four diagnostic groups: attention deficit and hyperactive disorder (ADHD, k = 4, N = 569), autism spectrum disorders (ASD, k = 6, N = 1731), major depressive disorder (MDD, k = 5, N = 938), psychosis spectrum disorders (PSD, k = 13, N = 1150) and one transdiagnostic group (TD, k = 11, N = 5731). Most studies (67%) used CCA and focused on the association between either brain morphology, resting-state functional connectivity or fractional anisotropy against symptoms and/or cognition. There were three main findings. First, most diagnoses shared a link between clinical/cognitive symptoms and two brain measures, namely frontal morphology/brain activity and white matter association fibres (tracts between cortical areas in the same hemisphere). Second, typically less investigated behavioural variables in multivariate models such as physical health (e.g., BMI, drug use) and clinical history (e.g., childhood trauma) were identified as important features. Finally, most studies were at risk of bias due to low sample size/feature ratio and/or in-sample testing only. We highlight the importance of carefully mitigating these sources of bias with an exemplar application of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vieira
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - T A W Bolton
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Neurosurgery Service and Gamma Knife Center, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M Schöttner
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - L Baecker
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - A Marquand
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - A Mechelli
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - P Hagmann
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Burke T, Holleran L, Mothersill D, Lyons J, O'Rourke N, Gleeson C, Cannon DM, McKernan DP, Morris DW, Kelly JP, Hallahan B, McDonald C, Donohoe G. Bilateral anterior corona radiata microstructure organisation relates to impaired social cognition in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2023; 262:87-94. [PMID: 37931564 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2023.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Corona Radiata (CR) is a large white matter tract in the brain comprising of the anterior CR (aCR), superior CR (sCR), and posterior CR (pCR), which have associations with cognition, self-regulation, and, in schizophrenia, positive symptom severity. This study tested the hypothesis that the microstructural organisation of the aCR, as measured by Fractional Anisotropy (FA) using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), would relate to poorer social cognitive outcomes and higher positive symptom severity for people with schizophrenia, when compared to healthy participants. We further hypothesised that increased positive symptoms would relate to poorer social cognitive outcomes. METHODS Data were derived from n = 178 healthy participants (41 % females; 36.11 ± 12.36 years) and 58 people with schizophrenia (30 % females; 42.4 ± 11.1 years). The Positive and Negative Symptom Severity Scale measured clinical symptom severity. Social Cognition was measured using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) Total Score, as well as the Positive, Neutral, and Negative stimuli valence. The ENIGMA-DTI protocol tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used. RESULTS There was a significant difference in FA for the CR, in individuals with schizophrenia compared to healthy participants. On stratification, both the aCR and pCR were significantly different between groups, with patients showing reduced white matter tract microstructural organisation. Significant negative correlations were observed between positive symptomatology and reduced microstructural organisation of the aCR. Performance for RMET negative valence items was significantly correlated bilaterally with the aCR, but not the sCR or pCR, and no relationship to positive symptoms was observed. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight specific and significant microstructural white-matter differences for people with schizophrenia, which relates to positive clinical symptomology and poorer performance on social cognition stimuli. While reduced FA is associated with higher positive symptomatology in schizophrenia, this study shows the specific associated with anterior frontal white matter tracts and reduced social cognitive performance. The aCR may have a specific role to play in frontal-disconnection syndromes, psychosis, and social cognitive profile within schizophrenia, though further research requires more sensitive, specific, and detailed consideration of social cognition outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Burke
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Laurena Holleran
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - David Mothersill
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Psychology Department, School of Business, National College of, Ireland
| | - James Lyons
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Nathan O'Rourke
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Christina Gleeson
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Dara M Cannon
- Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Galway Neuroscience Centre, College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Declan P McKernan
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland
| | - Derek W Morris
- Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - John P Kelly
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W5P7 Galway, Ireland
| | - Brian Hallahan
- Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Colm McDonald
- Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Gary Donohoe
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland; Center for Neuroimaging Cognition and Genomics, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
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3
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Kristensen TD, Raghava JM, Skjerbæk MW, Dhollander T, Syeda W, Ambrosen KS, Bojesen KB, Nielsen MØ, Pantelis C, Glenthøj BY, Ebdrup BH. Fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section of the corticospinal tract are distinctly linked to psychosis-specific symptoms in antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1797-1812. [PMID: 37012463 PMCID: PMC10713712 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01598-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Multiple lines of research support the dysconnectivity hypothesis of schizophrenia. However, findings on white matter (WM) alterations in patients with schizophrenia are widespread and non-specific. Confounding factors from magnetic resonance image (MRI) processing, clinical diversity, antipsychotic exposure, and substance use may underlie some of the variability. By application of refined methodology and careful sampling, we rectified common confounders investigating WM and symptom correlates in a sample of strictly antipsychotic-naïve first-episode patients with schizophrenia. Eighty-six patients and 112 matched controls underwent diffusion MRI. Using fixel-based analysis (FBA), we extracted fibre-specific measures such as fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section. Group differences on fixel-wise measures were examined with multivariate general linear modelling. Psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. We separately tested multivariate correlations between fixel-wise measures and predefined psychosis-specific versus anxio-depressive symptoms. Results were corrected for multiple comparisons. Patients displayed reduced fibre density in the body of corpus callosum and in the middle cerebellar peduncle. Fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section of the corticospinal tract were positively correlated with suspiciousness/persecution, and negatively correlated with delusions. Fibre-bundle cross-section of isthmus of corpus callosum and hallucinatory behaviour were negatively correlated. Fibre density and fibre-bundle cross-section of genu and splenium of corpus callosum were negative correlated with anxio-depressive symptoms. FBA revealed fibre-specific properties of WM abnormalities in patients and differentiated associations between WM and psychosis-specific versus anxio-depressive symptoms. Our findings encourage an itemised approach to investigate the relationship between WM microstructure and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina D Kristensen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
| | - Jayachandra M Raghava
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Functional Imaging Unit, Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Martin W Skjerbæk
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Thijs Dhollander
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warda Syeda
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen S Ambrosen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Kirsten B Bojesen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Mette Ø Nielsen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Developmental Imaging, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Birte Y Glenthøj
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bjørn H Ebdrup
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Centre Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ambrosen KS, Fredriksson F, Anhøj S, Bak N, van Dellen E, Dominicus L, Lemvigh CK, Sørensen ME, Nielsen MØ, Bojesen KB, Fagerlund B, Glenthøj BY, Oranje B, Hansen LK, Ebdrup BH. Clustering of antipsychotic-naïve patients with schizophrenia based on functional connectivity from resting-state electroencephalography. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1785-1796. [PMID: 36729135 PMCID: PMC10713774 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01550-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is associated with aberrations in the Default Mode Network (DMN), but the clinical implications remain unclear. We applied data-driven, unsupervised machine learning based on resting-state electroencephalography (rsEEG) functional connectivity within the DMN to cluster antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The identified clusters were investigated with respect to psychopathological profile and cognitive deficits. Thirty-seven antipsychotic-naïve, first-episode patients with schizophrenia (mean age 24.4 (5.4); 59.5% males) and 97 matched healthy controls (mean age 24.0 (5.1); 52.6% males) underwent assessments of rsEEG, psychopathology, and cognition. Source-localized, frequency-dependent functional connectivity was estimated using Phase Lag Index (PLI). The DMN-PLI was factorized for each frequency band using principal component analysis. Clusters of patients were identified using a Gaussian mixture model and neurocognitive and psychopathological profiles of identified clusters were explored. We identified two clusters of patients based on the theta band (4-8 Hz), and two clusters based on the beta band (12-30 Hz). Baseline psychopathology could predict theta clusters with an accuracy of 69.4% (p = 0.003), primarily driven by negative symptoms. Five a priori selected cognitive functions conjointly predicted the beta clusters with an accuracy of 63.6% (p = 0.034). The two beta clusters displayed higher and lower DMN connectivity, respectively, compared to healthy controls. In conclusion, the functional connectivity within the DMN provides a novel, data-driven means to stratify patients into clinically relevant clusters. The results support the notion of biological subgroups in schizophrenia and endorse the application of data-driven methods to recognize pathophysiological patterns at earliest stage of this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen S Ambrosen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
| | - Fanny Fredriksson
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Simon Anhøj
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | | | - Edwin van Dellen
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Livia Dominicus
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilie K Lemvigh
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Mikkel E Sørensen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Mette Ø Nielsen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsten B Bojesen
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Fagerlund
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birte Y Glenthøj
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bob Oranje
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Lars K Hansen
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Bjørn H Ebdrup
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR) and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS), Copenhagen University Hospital, Mental Health Services CPH, Nordstjernevej 41, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Xu H, Zhou Y, Wang J, Liang Z, Wang Y, Wu W, Liu Y, Liu X, Zhang X, Huo L. Effect of HD-tDCS on white matter integrity and associated cognitive function in chronic schizophrenia: A double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial. Psychiatry Res 2023; 324:115183. [PMID: 37028258 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a disabling major mental disorder, which includes critical deficits in cognitive function, for which no effective intervention currently exists. The aim of our double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. This study sample consisted of 56 individuals with chronic schizophrenia, randomly allocated to either the active stimulation or sham group. The treatment consisted of ten consecutive days of HD-tDCS, 20 min/day, applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe. Changes in clinical outcomes, cognitive assessments, and diffusion tensor imaging were evaluated pre- to post-intervention. Matched-healthy controls (HCs) were included to identify white matter changes in patients with schizophrenia before treatment. Compared to HCs, schizophrenia was associated with reduced integrity of the white matter tracts of the corpus callosum and corona radiata. HD-tDCS enhanced integrity in the corpus callosum and anterior and superior corona radiata, which was associated with the change in cognitive performance. HD-tDCS offers a potential approach to improve cognition deficits in schizophrenia through a modulatory effect on white matter tracts. Given the lack of approved treatments for cognitive deficits, these findings are clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Science, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Yongjie Zhou
- Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiesi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weibin Wu
- The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Yiliang Liu
- The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijuan Huo
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Science, Ministry of Education, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Avery SN, Huang AS, Sheffield JM, Rogers BP, Vandekar S, Anticevic A, Woodward ND. Development of Thalamocortical Structural Connectivity in Typically Developing and Psychosis Spectrum Youths. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:782-792. [PMID: 34655804 PMCID: PMC9008075 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thalamocortical white matter connectivity is disrupted in psychosis and is hypothesized to play a role in its etiology and associated cognitive impairment. Attenuated cognitive symptoms often begin in adolescence, during a critical phase of white matter and cognitive development. However, little is known about the development of thalamocortical white matter connectivity and its association with cognition. METHODS This study characterized effects of age, sex, psychosis symptomatology, and cognition in thalamocortical networks in a large sample of youths (N = 1144, ages 8-22 years, 46% male) from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, which included 316 typically developing youths, 330 youths on the psychosis spectrum, and 498 youths with other psychopathology. Probabilistic tractography was used to quantify percent total connectivity between the thalamus and six cortical regions and assess microstructural properties (i.e., fractional anisotropy) of thalamocortical white matter tracts. RESULTS Overall, percent total connectivity of the thalamus was weakly associated with age and was not associated with psychopathology or cognition. In contrast, fractional anisotropy of all thalamocortical tracts increased significantly with age, was generally higher in males than females, and was lowest in youths on the psychosis spectrum. Fractional anisotropy of tracts linking the thalamus to prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices was related to better cognitive function across subjects. CONCLUSIONS By characterizing the pattern of typical development and alterations in those at risk for psychotic disorders, this study provides a foundation for further conceptualization of thalamocortical white matter microstructure as a marker of neurodevelopment supporting cognition and an important risk marker for psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne N Avery
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - Anna S Huang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Julia M Sheffield
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Baxter P Rogers
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Sciences, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Simon Vandekar
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Alan Anticevic
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Neil D Woodward
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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