Abstract
BackgroundAlterations in brain structure are among the most robust biological findings in schizophrenia. Also changes in fatty acid profiles including reduced levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are well replicated in schizophrenia. Being essential for neurodevelopmental processes and structural plasticity and remodeling, alterations of PUFA metabolism might be also associated with the occurrence of brain structural abnormalities. To investigate this assumption in vivo we examined the interrelation of PUFA profiles and brain structure in neuroleptic naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and healthy controls (HC) matched for age and gender.MethodsHigh-resolution T1-weighted 3T MRI were acquired from 29 FEP patients (age 26.4 ± 5.3y; 13 females/16 males) and 31 HC (age 25.1 ± 4.7y; 14 f/17 m). Fatty acid profiles were analyzed using gas chromatography in the plasma phospholipid (PL) fraction that is rather independent of recent fat consumption, and that potentially indicates PUFA availability in phospholipid structural components essential in the brain. To investigate brain structural abnormalities in FEP and effects of illness on interactions between fatty acid profiles and local grey (GM) or white (WM) matter density, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) with the computational anatomy toolbox (CAT12) was used.ResultsVBM analyses revealed a reduction of GM in FEP in left frontal operculum, left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus and bilateral temporal gyrus (TFCE, FWE<0.05). The group comparisons of fatty acid profiles in the PL fraction showed reduced omega-6 PUFA and MCFA (C10-C14) levels in FEP patients. Interaction analyses revealed an influence of illness on the association between omega-6 PUFA and GM density at the left supramarginal gyrus/left postcentral gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus (TFCE, FWE<0.05) with a regression slope FEP patients > HC. For MCFA interaction analyses revealed effects of illness on associations with GM density in the bilateral superior medial frontal gyrus and left anterior cingulate gyrus with a regression slope HC > FEP patients.DiscussionOur results support the notion that the availability of PUFA and MCFA potentially affects brain structural development and remodeling. They also support the notion of PUFA and phospholipids metabolism as a biochemical basis to create early prevention and intervention strategies, e.g. by PUFA supplementation.
Highlights
Glutamatergic dysfunction, deregulated mitochondrial metabolism and alterations of membrane phospholipids are considered as core pathology of psychosis, and have been studied in schizophrenic illness using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)
Combining 1H- and 31P-MRS, this study investigates these aspects in Ultra-high risk (UHR-T) patients right after transition to psychosis (T0) and after a two years interval (T1) in a naturalistic longitudinal design, including treatment as usual by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy with second generation antipsychotics
We aimed at comparing levels of redox regulators, oxidative stress, and related genotypes in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, and at identifying how these biomarkers are related to membrane fatty acids and clinical characteristics in acute and chronic phase of schizophrenia
Summary
A child’s parental bonding, measured using the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), has been found to be associated with psychiatric illnesses. A significantly higher proportion of patients with schizophrenia tend to report affectionless-controlling mothers as compared to healthy controls. This study aims to (i) investigate the applicability of the PBI tool in Singapore, using exploratory factor analysis, and (ii) explore the association between parental bonding, symptom severity and functioning across schizophrenia patients, individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR), and healthy controls. Methods: Data from 59 schizophrenia patients, 164 UHR, and 510 healthy controls (N = 733) were collected. Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia (PANSS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) were administered on UHR and patients. Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) was administered on HC and UHR. Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) was administered on UHR only
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