Altered asymmetries of resting‐state MRI in the left thalamus of first‐episode schizophrenia. Issue 3 (22nd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Sha; Guo, Zhenglong; Cao, Hongbao; Li, Hong; Hu, Xiaodong; Cheng, Long; Li, Jianying; Liu, Ruize; Xu, Yong
• Is Part Of: Chronic diseases and translational medicine. Volume 8:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 217
• Publication Date: 2022-08-22
• Subjects: asymmetry -- gray matter volume -- resting‐state fMRI -- schizophrenia -- thalamus; Chronic diseases -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Chronic diseases; Medicine -- Research; Chronic Disease; Translational Medical Research; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodical; 616.044
• DOI: 10.1002/cdt3.41
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2095-882X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder associated with widespread alterations in the subcortical brain structure. Hemispheric asymmetries are a fundamental organizational principle of the human brain and relate to human psychological and behavioral characteristics. We aimed to explore the state of thalamic lateralization of SCZ. Methods: We used voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) analysis, whole‐brain analysis of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and resting‐state seed‐based functional connectivity (FC) analysis to investigate brain structural and functional deficits in SCZ. Also, we applied Pearson's correlation analysis to validate the correlation between Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores and them. Results: Compared with healthy controls, SCZ showed increased gray matter volume (GMV) of the left thalamus ( t = 2.214, p = 0.029), which positively correlated with general psychosis ( r = 0.423, p = 0.010). SCZ also showed increased ALFF in the putamen, the caudate nucleus, the thalamus, fALFF in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and the caudate nucleus, and decreased fALFF in the precuneus. The left thalamus showed significantly weaker resting‐state FC with the amygdala and insula in SCZ. PANSS negative symptom scores were negatively correlated with the resting‐state FC between the thalamus and the insula ( r = −0.414, p = 0.025). Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest the possibility of aberrant laterality in the left thalamus and its FC with other related brain regions involved in the limbic system. Abstract : Based on the abnormal asymmetry of the left thalamus, our study provides a new perspective that the disturbance of the limbic system may be an important signature for early pathophysiological mechanisms and psychiatric symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. Highlights: 1. Experiments to explore the lateralization state of the left thalamus in schizophrenia. 2. The thalamus is structurally and functionally impaired in schizophrenia. 3. The limbic system may be linked to altered brain asymmetry.