Gray matter volume differences specific to formal thought disorder in schizophrenia.
Formal thought disorder (FTD) is one of the main symptoms of schizophrenia. To date there are no whole brain volumetric studies investigating gray matter (GM) differences specifically associated with FTD. Here, we studied 20 right-handed schizophrenia patients that differed in the severity of formal thought disorder and 20 matched healthy controls, using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). The severity of FTD was measured with the Scale for the Assessment of Thought, Language, and Communication. The severity was negatively correlated with the GM volume of the left superior temporal sulcus, the left temporal pole, the right middle orbital gyrus and the right cuneus/lingual gyrus. Structural abnormalities specific for FTD were found to be unrelated to GM differences associated with schizophrenia in general. The specific GM abnormalities within the left temporal lobe may help to explain language disturbances included in FTD.
Horn
Helge
H
University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 21, Bern, Switzerland. horn@puk.unibe.ch
Federspiel
Andrea
A
Wirth
Miranka
M
Müller
Thomas J
TJ
Wiest
Roland
R
Walther
Sebastian
S
Strik
Werner
W
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007802:Language; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult