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Research ArticleBrain

Patterns of Brain Structural Changes in First-Contact, Antipsychotic Drug-Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia

M. Filippi, E. Canu, R. Gasparotti, F. Agosta, P. Valsecchi, G. Lodoli, A. Galluzzo, G. Comi and E. Sacchetti
American Journal of Neuroradiology January 2014, 35 (1) 30-37; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A3583
M. Filippi
aFrom the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.F., E.C., F.A.) Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience
bDepartment of Neurology (M.F., G.C.) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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E. Canu
aFrom the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.F., E.C., F.A.) Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience
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R. Gasparotti
cDepartment of Diagnostic Imaging (R.G., G.L.), Neuroradiology Unit, Brescia University School of Medicine, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
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F. Agosta
aFrom the Neuroimaging Research Unit (M.F., E.C., F.A.) Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience
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P. Valsecchi
dDepartment of Mental Health (P.V., A.G., E.S.), Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
eUniversity Psychiatric Unit (P.V., E.S.), Brescia University School of Medicine, Brescia, Italy
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G. Lodoli
cDepartment of Diagnostic Imaging (R.G., G.L.), Neuroradiology Unit, Brescia University School of Medicine, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
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A. Galluzzo
dDepartment of Mental Health (P.V., A.G., E.S.), Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
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G. Comi
bDepartment of Neurology (M.F., G.C.) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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E. Sacchetti
dDepartment of Mental Health (P.V., A.G., E.S.), Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
eUniversity Psychiatric Unit (P.V., E.S.), Brescia University School of Medicine, Brescia, Italy
fCentre on Behavioural and Neurodegenerative Disorders (E.S.), Brescia University and EULO, Brescia, Italy.
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that structural changes do occur in the brain of patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy control participants. However, findings from such studies are inconclusive, probably because of the different methodologic approaches, the clinical heterogeneity of patient samples, and also the fact that patients enrolled were treated with antipsychotic drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate brain GM volumes and intrinsic structural WM changes in first-contact, antipsychotic drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 43 first-contact, drug-naïve, patients with schizophrenia and 17 age-matched control participants were studied. All participants underwent T1-weighted MR imaging and DTI scans. Voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics were used to compare GM volumes and WM DTI metrics between groups. MR imaging measures were correlated with the duration of the untreated psychosis and the clinical positive and negative symptoms.

RESULTS: Compared with control participants, patients with schizophrenia showed smaller volumes of the temporal, parietal, and occipital GM, and a pattern of decreased mean diffusivity and increased fractional anisotropy in the brain stem and cerebellum bilaterally, interhemispheric and cortico-cortical connections bilaterally, and right anterior and posterior limb of the internal capsule. In patients, decreased mean diffusivity and increased fractional anisotropy in several brain regions were related to a longer duration of the untreated psychosis and the severity of positive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: First-contact, drug-naïve, patients with schizophrenia present with volumetric and DTI changes, which correlated with their clinical features. This study increases our knowledge on the neural networks involved in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of schizophrenia.

ABBREVIATIONS:

DARTEL
Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration through Exponentiated Lie Algebra
DUP
duration of the untreated psychosis
FA
fractional anisotropy
MD
mean diffusivity
PANSS
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scales
MNI
Montreal Neurological Institute
TBSS
tract-based spatial statistics
  • © 2014 by American Journal of Neuroradiology
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American Journal of Neuroradiology: 35 (1)
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Vol. 35, Issue 1
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Cite this article
M. Filippi, E. Canu, R. Gasparotti, F. Agosta, P. Valsecchi, G. Lodoli, A. Galluzzo, G. Comi, E. Sacchetti
Patterns of Brain Structural Changes in First-Contact, Antipsychotic Drug-Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia
American Journal of Neuroradiology Jan 2014, 35 (1) 30-37; DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A3583

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Patterns of Brain Structural Changes in First-Contact, Antipsychotic Drug-Naïve Patients with Schizophrenia
M. Filippi, E. Canu, R. Gasparotti, F. Agosta, P. Valsecchi, G. Lodoli, A. Galluzzo, G. Comi, E. Sacchetti
American Journal of Neuroradiology Jan 2014, 35 (1) 30-37; DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A3583
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