Dataset Information

Convergent evidence from multimodal imaging reveals amygdala abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Shared neuropathological features between schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives have potential as indicators of genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia. We sought to explore genetic influences on brain morphology and function in schizophrenic patients and their relatives.

Methods

Using a multimodal imaging strategy, we studied 33 schizophrenic patients, 55 of their unaffected parents, 30 healthy controls for patients, and 29 healthy controls for parents with voxel-based morphometry of structural MRI scans and functional connectivity analysis of resting-state functional MRI data.

Results

Schizophrenic patients showed widespread gray matter reductions in the bilateral frontal cortices, bilateral insulae, bilateral occipital cortices, left amygdala and right thalamus, whereas their parents showed more localized reductions in the left amygdala, left thalamus and right orbitofrontal cortex. Patients and their parents shared gray matter loss in the left amygdala. Further investigation of the resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala in the patients showed abnormal functional connectivity with the bilateral orbitofrontal cortices, bilateral precunei, bilateral dorsolateral frontal cortices and right insula. Their parents showed slightly less, but similar changes in the pattern in the amygdala connectivity. Co-occurrences of abnormal connectivity of the left amygdala with the left orbitofrontal cortex, right dorsolateral frontal cortex and right precuneus were observed in schizophrenic patients and their parents.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a potential genetic influence on structural and functional abnormalities of the amygdala in schizophrenia. Such information could help future efforts to identify the endophenotypes that characterize the complex disorder of schizophrenia.

SUBMITTER: Tian L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3234284 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Convergent evidence from multimodal imaging reveals amygdala abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives.

Tian Lin L Meng Chun C Yan Hao H Zhao Qiang Q Liu Qi Q Yan Jun J Han Yonghua Y Yuan Huishu H Wang Lifang L Yue Weihua W Zhang Yanbo Y Li Xinmin X Zhu Chaozhe C He Yong Y Zhang Dai D

PloS one 20111208 12

<h4>Background</h4>Shared neuropathological features between schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives have potential as indicators of genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia. We sought to explore genetic influences on brain morphology and function in schizophrenic patients and their relatives.<h4>Methods</h4>Using a multimodal imaging strategy, we studied 33 schizophrenic patients, 55 of their unaffected parents, 30 healthy controls for patients, and 29 healthy controls for parents ...[more]

PMID: 22174900

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Project description:PurposeAlthough there is a high prevalence of keratoconus in the Middle East including Israel, limited data is available describing first-degree relatives of patients with sporadic keratoconus (KC) using Scheimpflug imaging. The purpose of this study is to accurately phenotype first-degree relatives of patients with sporadic KC in Israel using corneal tomography, which may help determine the genetic aetiology of KC.MethodsFirst-degree relatives (N = 56) of 16 KC probands participated in this prospective case-control study. Healthy controls (N = 96) were from a previous study. Autorefraction, visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy, retinoscopy, subjective refraction and Scheimpflug imaging (CSO Sirius Topographer) of keratoconus patients and their first-degree relatives were evaluated. The worse eye was used for KC and KC suspects. The main outcome measure was prevalence of abnormal corneal topography and tomography parameters, which was compared between first-degree relatives vs controls. p values < 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsKC (N = 2) or KC suspect (N = 8) was diagnosed in 18% (95% CI 8-28%) of the first-degree relatives. At least one abnormal corneal parameter was evident in 34% of first-degree relatives, while this was significantly lower for controls (14%, χ2 (1, N = 152) = 8.8, p = 0.01). Qualitative analysis showed KC first-degree relatives had significantly more abnormal anterior corneal topography patterns than controls (34% vs 17%, χ2 (1, N = 152) = 5.9, p = 0.02). For first-degree relatives, sex was not a factor influencing prevalence of corneal abnormalities (18% for both men and women, χ2 (1, N = 56) = 0.0, p = 1.0). A significant correlation was found for first-degree relatives between age and most corneal parameters, while this was not evident for the control group.Conclusions and relevanceEye care practitioners should consider first-degree relatives of patients with KC at moderate risk for the disease and/or corneal abnormalities.

Dataset Information

Convergent evidence from multimodal imaging reveals amygdala abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Convergent evidence from multimodal imaging reveals amygdala abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives.

Similar Datasets

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