Abnormal Development and Dysconnectivity of Distinct Thalamic Nuclei in Patients With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Experiencing Auditory Hallucinations.
Auditory cortex
Medial geniculate nucleus
Nucleus reuniens
Psychosis
Thalamocortical comaturation
Wernicke’s area
Journal
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging
ISSN: 2451-9030
Titre abrégé: Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101671285
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 2020
09 2020
Historique:
received:
03
03
2020
revised:
23
04
2020
accepted:
23
04
2020
pubmed:
6
7
2020
medline:
13
3
2021
entrez:
5
7
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Several studies in patients with schizophrenia have demonstrated an abnormal thalamic volume and thalamocortical connectivity. Specifically, hyperconnectivity with somatosensory areas has been related to the presence of auditory hallucinations (AHs). The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder conferring proneness to develop schizophrenia, and deletion carriers (22qdel carriers) experience hallucinations to a greater extent than the general population. We acquired 442 consecutive magnetic resonance imaging scans from 120 22qdel carriers and 110 control subjects every 3 years (age range: 8-35 years). The volume of thalamic nuclei was obtained with FreeSurfer and was compared between 22qdel carriers and control subjects and between 22qdel carriers with and without AHs. In a subgroup of 76 22qdel carriers, we evaluated the functional connectivity between thalamic nuclei affected in patients experiencing AHs and cortical regions. As compared with control subjects, 22qdel carriers had lower and higher volumes of nuclei involved in sensory processing and cognitive functions, respectively. 22qdel carriers with AHs had a smaller volume of the medial geniculate nucleus, with deviant trajectories showing a steeper volume decrease from childhood with respect to those without AHs. Moreover, we showed an aberrant development of nuclei intercalated between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (the anteroventral and medioventral reuniens nuclei) and hyperconnectivity of the medial geniculate nucleus and anteroventral nucleus with the auditory cortex and Wernicke's area. The increased connectivity of the medial geniculate nucleus and anteroventral nucleus to the auditory cortex might be interpreted as a lack of maturation of thalamocortical connectivity. Overall, our findings point toward an aberrant development of thalamic nuclei and an immature pattern of connectivity with temporal regions in relation to AHs.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Several studies in patients with schizophrenia have demonstrated an abnormal thalamic volume and thalamocortical connectivity. Specifically, hyperconnectivity with somatosensory areas has been related to the presence of auditory hallucinations (AHs). The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder conferring proneness to develop schizophrenia, and deletion carriers (22qdel carriers) experience hallucinations to a greater extent than the general population.
METHODS
We acquired 442 consecutive magnetic resonance imaging scans from 120 22qdel carriers and 110 control subjects every 3 years (age range: 8-35 years). The volume of thalamic nuclei was obtained with FreeSurfer and was compared between 22qdel carriers and control subjects and between 22qdel carriers with and without AHs. In a subgroup of 76 22qdel carriers, we evaluated the functional connectivity between thalamic nuclei affected in patients experiencing AHs and cortical regions.
RESULTS
As compared with control subjects, 22qdel carriers had lower and higher volumes of nuclei involved in sensory processing and cognitive functions, respectively. 22qdel carriers with AHs had a smaller volume of the medial geniculate nucleus, with deviant trajectories showing a steeper volume decrease from childhood with respect to those without AHs. Moreover, we showed an aberrant development of nuclei intercalated between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (the anteroventral and medioventral reuniens nuclei) and hyperconnectivity of the medial geniculate nucleus and anteroventral nucleus with the auditory cortex and Wernicke's area.
CONCLUSIONS
The increased connectivity of the medial geniculate nucleus and anteroventral nucleus to the auditory cortex might be interpreted as a lack of maturation of thalamocortical connectivity. Overall, our findings point toward an aberrant development of thalamic nuclei and an immature pattern of connectivity with temporal regions in relation to AHs.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32620531
pii: S2451-9022(20)30109-9
doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.04.015
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
875-890Commentaires et corrections
Type : CommentIn
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.