Abstract
BackgroundPersistent formal thought disorder (FTD) is one of the most characteristic features of schizophrenia. Several neuroimaging studies report spatially distinct neuroanatomical changes in association with FTD. Given that most studies so far have employed a univariate localisation approach that obscures the study of covarying interregional relationships, the present study focussed on the multivariate systemic pattern of anatomical changes that contribute to FTD. MethodsSpeech samples from nineteen medicated clinically stable schizophrenia patients and 20 healthy controls were evaluated for subtle formal thought disorder. Ultra high-field (7T) anatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans were obtained from all subjects. Multivariate morphometric patterns were identified using an independent component approach (source based morphometry). Using multiple regression analysis, the morphometric patterns predicting positive and negative FTD scores were identified. ResultsMorphometric variations in grey matter predicted a substantial portion of inter-individual variance in negative but not positive FTD. A pattern of concomitant striato-insular/precuneus reduction along with frontocingular grey matter increase had a significant association with negative FTD. ConclusionsThese results suggest that concomitant increase and decrease in grey matter occur in association with persistent negative thought disorder in clinically stable individuals with schizophrenia.
Highlights
Formal thought disorder (FTD) is one of the defining features of schizophrenia
We have shown that (1) clinically stable and medicated individuals with schizophrenia exhibit formal thought disorder (FTD) that is quantifiable by analyzing speech samples, (2) a significant proportion of the variance in negative FTD is explained by morphometric variations in distributed brain regions and (3) both increased and decreased grey matter volumes are noted in association with FTD
With respect to the regression analysis, we noted that a reduction in grey matter volume involving the striatum, insula, precuneus and lateral temporal regions predicted higher burden of negative FTD, in the presence of an increase in grey matter volume involving the cingulate and lateral prefrontal regions
Summary
Formal thought disorder (FTD) is one of the defining features of schizophrenia. Structural basis of persistent thought disorder has been a matter of interest for the last 20 years, but continues to be unclear. Persistent formal thought disorder (FTD) is one of the most characteristic features of schizophrenia. The morphometric patterns predicting positive and negative FTD scores were identified. Results: Morphometric variations in grey matter predicted a substantial portion of inter-individual variance in negative but not positive FTD. A pattern of concomitant striato-insular/precuneus reduction along with frontocingular grey matter increase had a significant association with negative FTD. Conclusions: These results suggest that concomitant increase and decrease in grey matter occur in association with persistent negative thought disorder in clinically stable individuals with schizophrenia
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