White-matter hyperintensities in first-episode psychosis.
BACKGROUND
White-matter hyperintensities have been associated with both schizophrenia and mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, but results are inconsistent across studies.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether white-matter hyperintensities are a vulnerability marker for psychosis or are specifically associated with bipolar disorder.


METHODS
T(2)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired in 129 individuals with first-episode psychosis (either affective or non-affective psychoses) and 102 controls who were randomly selected from the same geographical areas. Visual white-matter hyperintensity ratings were used for group and subgroup comparisons.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant between-group differences in white-matter hyperintensity frequency or severity scores. No significant correlations were found between white-matter hyperintensity scores and duration of illness, duration of untreated psychosis, or severity of psychotic, manic or depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
White-matter hyperintensities are not associated with vulnerability to psychosis in general, or specifically with affective psychoses. Further, first-episode psychosis investigations using more quantitative methods are warranted to confirm these findings.
Zanetti
Marcus V
MV
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos s/n, São Paulo, Brazil. marcus_zanetti@yahoo.com.br
Schaufelberger
Maristela S
MS
de Castro
Cláudio C
CC
Menezes
Paulo R
PR
Scazufca
Márcia
M
McGuire
Philip K
PK
Murray
Robin M
RM
Busatto
Geraldo F
GF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015415:Biomarkers