Longitudinal changes in neuroanatomy and neural activity in early schizophrenia.
Although there is substantial evidence indicating that patients with first-episode schizophrenia exhibit both anatomical and electrophysiological abnormalities, there has been little research investigating the relationship between these two indices. We acquired structural magnetic resonance images and resting electroencephalographic recordings from 19 patients with schizophrenia, both at the time of their first presentation to mental health services and 2-3 years subsequently. Patients' grey matter images were parcellated into four brain lobes, and slow-wave, alpha- and beta-electroencephalographic power was calculated in four corresponding cortical regions. Although grey matter volume decreased longitudinally, particularly fronto-parietally, electroencephalographic power increased in the slow-wave and beta-frequency bands. These results suggest that first-episode schizophrenia may be associated with abnormally elevated levels of neural synchrony.
Whitford
Thomas J
TJ
The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute and University of Sydney, and Acacia House, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. thomas.whitford@wmi.usyd.edu.au
Farrow
Tom F D
TF
Rennie
Christopher J
CJ
Grieve
Stuart M
SM
Gomes
Lavier
L
Brennan
John
J
Harris
Anthony W F
AW
Williams
Leanne M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009445:Neuroanatomy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis