Brain structural alterations in schizophrenia and their non-affected relatives: a voxel-based morphometric study

Abstract

To assess differences and similarities in brain character, we compared regional grey matter (GM) density across whole brain in schizophrenia, their un-affected first-degree relatives and healthy controls, using voxel-based morphometry. Findings showed slight GM density reductions for relatives in left middle temporal gyri, compared to controls, and for patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) in right temporal pole -middle and –superior gyrus, compared with relatives. There was no GM density reduction presented for SCZ in any region. Findings also presented excessive GM density for SCZ in frontal gyrus, left precuneus, and for relatives in right superamarginal gyrus extending to Rolandic operculum, right inferior frontal gyrus, and left inferior temporal gyrus. Compared patients with relatives, right superior occipital lobe and part of cerebellum exhibited higher density while right temporal pole and bilateral medial frontal lobe showed lower density in patients. The scores of negative symptoms in SCZ negative correlated with the GM density in calcarine (r=-0.763, p=0.046) and left putamen (r=-0.882, p=0.009), and the illness duration for left putamen (r=-0.876, p=0.01). There was no any correlation between the regional GM density across whole brains and doses of medication treatment in SCZ.