title: Cerebral white matter structure is associated with DSM-5 schizophrenia symptom dimensions.
abstract: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have provided evidence of widespread white matter (WM) abnormalities in schizophrenia. Although these abnormalities appear clinically significant, the relationship to specific clinical symptoms is limited and heterogeneous. This study examined the association between WM microstructure and the severity of the five main DSM-5 schizophrenia symptom dimensions. DTI was measured in forty patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics controlling for age, gender and antipsychotic dosage, our analyses revealed significant negative relationships between WM microstructure and two DSM-5 symptom dimensions: Whereas abnormal psychomotor behavior was particularly related to WM of motor tracts, negative symptoms were associated with WM microstructure of the prefrontal and right temporal lobes. However, we found no associations between WM microstructure and delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech. These data highlight the relevance of characteristic WM disconnectivity patterns as markers for negative symptoms and abnormal psychomotor behavior in schizophrenia and provide evidence for relevant associations between brain structure and aberrant behavior.
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Petra V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Viher
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stegmayer
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giezendanner
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Federspiel
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland; Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Center, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohlhalter
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland; Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Center, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vanbellingen
authors.affiliation: Support Center of Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), University Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiest
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Strik
authors.affiliation: Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walther
keywords: Diffusion tensor imaging; Motor abnormalities; Negative syndrome; Neurobiological correlates; Tract-Based Spatial Statistics