Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations of the first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients：a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract

Objective To explore the differences of brain function between the first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients and normal controls with resting-state functional magnetic imaging （fMRI）. Methods Fifty-five unaffected biological fathers or mothers of schizophrenia patients and twenty-nine age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled and screened by experienced psychiatrists with a unstructured interview in this study. Then a resting-state fMRI scan was conducted for each participant. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations （ALFF） approach was used to explore the differences of resting-state brain function between parents and controls. Results Compared with the controls， unaffected parents showed significantly decreased ALFF in the right middle temple cortex，middle cingulate cortex，superior frontal cortex/middle frontal cortex，triangular part of inferior frontal cortex and bilateral angular cortices. Parents also showed significantly increased ALFF in the bilateral lingual cortices （left：Montreal Neurological Institute（x,y,z）: -12,-81,3，t=4.08，right：Montreal Neurological Institute（x,y,z）: 9,-57,3，t=3.88，P<0.01，corrected）. Conclusions The results indicate there are dysfunctions of brain areas in the first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients during resting state，which may reflect a genetic risk for schizophrenia. Key words: Schizophrenia; Magnetic resonance imaging; First-degree relatives