Comparative Study on the Functional Connectivity of Amygdala and Hippocampal Neural Circuits in Patients With First-Episode Schizophrenia and Other High-Risk Populations.

Xinrui Wang,Qikun Sun,Li Chao,Xiaowei Jiang,Zhiyang Yin,Yanqing Tang,Xu Dai

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.627198

Xinrui Wang, Qikun Sun + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.627198

Copy DOI

Abstract

Objective: Cortical-limbic system neural circuit abnormalities are closely related to the onset of schizophrenia (SZ). The amygdala, hippocampus, cingulate, and prefrontal lobe are important components of the loop. In this study, we compared resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) between the amygdala/hippocampus and cingulate/prefrontal regions among patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FE-SZ), high risk populations with SZ (HR-SZ), and healthy controls (HCs). By discovering the abnormal pattern of the cortical-limbic system of SZ and HR-SZ, we attempted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanism of SZ.Method: This study collected seventy-five FE-SZ patients, 59 HR-SZ, and 64 HCs. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used to analyze their demographic data. Analysis of covariance and post-hoc analysis were performed on the functional connectivity of the three groups. Finally, correlation analysis between the significant brain functional connectivity value and the scale score was performed.Results: The results of the analysis of covariance showed that there were significant differences in rs-FC between the amygdala and the right middle cingulate and between the hippocampus and the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus among the three groups (Gaussian random field (GRF)-corrected voxel p < 0.001, cluster p < 0.05). Post hoc comparisons showed that the rs-FC of the amygdala—right middle cingulate and the hippocampus—bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus in patients with SZ was significantly lower than that of HR-SZ and HC (Bonferroni corrected p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the HR-SZ and HC groups. The results of the correlation analysis showed that rs-FC of the hippocampus-medial frontal gyrus in patients with SZ was positively correlated with core depression factor scores on the Hamilton Depression Scale (P = 0.006, R = 0.357).Conclusion: There were different patterns of functional connectivity impairment in the amygdala and hippocampal neural circuits in the schizophrenic cortical-limbic system, and these patterns may be more useful than genetics as state-related imaging changes of the disease.

Highlights

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe mental disorder whose etiology and pathogenesis have not been elucidated to date
Post hoc analysis showed that compared with the other two groups, first episode of SZ (FE-SZ) had a lower amygdala-right middle cingulate rs-Functional Connection (FC) (Bonferroni correction p < 0.05, p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference between high risk of SZ (HR-SZ) and HC (p > 0.05)
This study found a decrease in rs-FC in the amygdalamiddle cingulate in the FE-SZ patients

Summary

Introduction

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe mental disorder whose etiology and pathogenesis have not been elucidated to date. Relatives of patients with SZ share the risk genes of schizophrenia and are at a higher risk of manifesting the disease [6]. Studies have shown that the prevalence of SZ among first-degree relatives of SZ is ∼6–17%. For the children of people with SZ, if one of their parents has it, their risk is ∼13%. The first-degree relatives of patients with SZ belong to a population with a high risk of SZ. The children of SZ patients are considered to be at a genetically high risk of SZ (HR-SZ). Biomarkers shared by people with SZ and HR-SZ but not HCs may be genetic and psychosis indicators. Biomarkers that distinguish HR-SZ from SZ patients and HCs may be protective indicators against the penetrance of schizophrenia genes

Methods

Results

Conclusion