Neural markers of remission in first-episode schizophrenia: a volumetric neuroimaging study of the hippocampus and amygdala.
Title | Neural markers of remission in first-episode schizophrenia: a volumetric neuroimaging study of the hippocampus and amygdala. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2010 |
Authors | Bodnar M, Malla A, Czechowska Y, Benoit A, Fathalli F, Joober R, Pruessner M, Pruessner J, Lepage M |
Journal | Schizophr Res |
Volume | 122 |
Issue | 1-3 |
Pagination | 72-80 |
Date Published | 2010 Sep |
ISSN | 1573-2509 |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: The temporolimbic region has been implicated in the pathophysiology in schizophrenia. More specifically, significantly smaller hippocampal volumes but not amygdala volumes have been identified at onset in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients. However, volumetric differences (namely, in the hippocampus) exhibit an ambiguous relationship with long-term outcome. So, we examined the relationship between hippocampus and amygdala volumes and early remission status.METHODS: We compared hippocampus and amygdala volumes between 40 non-remitted and 17 remitted FES patients and 57 healthy controls. Amygdala and hippocampus were manually traced with the hippocampus additionally segmented into three parts: body, head, and tail. Remission was defined as mild or less on both positive and negative symptoms over a period of 6 consecutive months as per the 2005 Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group criteria.RESULTS: A significant [group x structure x side] interaction revealed outcome groups differed in hippocampus tail volumes; significantly on the left (non-remitted=694+/-175 mm(3); remitted=855+/-133 mm(3); p=0.001) with a trend difference on the right (non-remitted=723+/-162 mm(3); remitted=833+/-126 mm(3); p=0.023). Groups did not differ in body, head, or amygdala volumes bi-laterally.CONCLUSIONS: A smaller hippocampal tail volume may represent a neural marker in FES patients who do not achieve early remission after the first 6 months of treatment. The early identification of patients with poor outcome with respect to the hippocampus tail may encourage the search for new, more target-specific, medications in hope of improving outcome and moving us towards a better understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.schres.2010.06.013 |
Alternate Journal | Schizophr. Res. |
PubMed ID | 20630708 |
Grant List | 68961 / / Canadian Institutes of Health Research / Canada 9446 / / Canadian Institutes of Health Research / Canada |