Thalamocortical Connectivity Changes in Schizophrenia
Author Information
Author(s): Williams John C., Tubiolo Philip N., Gil Roberto B., Zheng Zu Jie, Silver-Frankel Eilon B., Haubold Natalka K., Abeykoon Sameera K., Pham Dathy T., Ojeil Najate, Bobchin Kelly, Slifstein Mark, Weinstein Jodi J., Perlman Greg, Horga Guillermo, Abi-Dargham Anissa, Van Snellenberg Jared X.
Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
The study aimed to localize auditory and visual thalamic nuclei in unmedicated people with schizophrenia and measure resting-state functional connectivity to primary sensory cortices.
Conclusion
Visual thalamocortical hyperconnectivity is a generalized marker of schizophrenia, while auditory thalamocortical hyperconnectivity is associated with positive symptom severity.
Supporting Evidence
- Auditory thalamocortical connectivity was not significantly different between people with schizophrenia and healthy controls.
- Hyperconnectivity in auditory thalamocortical circuits relates to greater positive symptom severity.
- Visual thalamocortical connectivity was significantly greater in people with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls.
Takeaway
People with schizophrenia may have different brain connections for seeing things compared to hearing things, which can affect their symptoms.
Methodology
The study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess thalamocortical connectivity in unmedicated people with schizophrenia and matched healthy controls.
Participant Demographics
82 unmedicated people with schizophrenia and 55 matched healthy controls.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website