Decreased number of orbital sulci in schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging. 2016 Apr 30:250:29-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.03.005. Epub 2016 Mar 19.

Abstract

An altered orbitofrontal sulcogyral pattern has been reported in the schizophrenia-spectrum, but it remains unknown whether they also have differences in the number of intermediate and posterior orbital sulci compared with healthy subjects. This magnetic resonance imaging study investigated the number of these sulci in 102 schizophrenia patients, 47 schizotypal disorder patients, and 84 controls. Both patient groups had a significantly lower number of both sulci bilaterally compared with controls, which was weakly associated with the severity of negative symptoms. Our results may reflect the neurodevelopmental pathology related to vulnerability to psychosis.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Orbitofrontal cortex; Schizotypal disorder.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Prefrontal Cortex / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / pathology
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Psychotic Disorders / pathology
  • Schizophrenia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Schizophrenia / pathology
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / diagnostic imaging*
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder / pathology
  • Young Adult