Functional connectivity and grey matter volume of the striatum in schizophrenia

• Published in: British journal of psychiatry Vol. 205; no. 3; pp. 204 - 213
• Main Authors: Koch, Kathrin, Rus, Oana Georgiana, Reeß, Tim Jonas, Schachtzabel, Claudia, Wagner, Gerd, Schultz, C. Christoph, Sorg, Christian, Schlösser, Ralf G. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.09.2014; Maney
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Mapping; Corpus Striatum - pathology; Corpus Striatum - physiopathology; Female; Gray Matter - pathology; Gray Matter - physiopathology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Nerve Net - pathology; Nerve Net - physiopathology; Neural Pathways - pathology; Neural Pathways - physiopathology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - pathology; Schizophrenia - physiopathology; Psychosis; Functional connectivity; Grey matter; Central nervous system; Schizophrenia; Basal ganglion; Corpus striatum; Encephalon
• ISSN: 0007-1250; 1472-1465
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.138099

Alterations in the dopaminergic reward system, predominantly the striatum, constitute core characteristics of schizophrenia. Functional connectivity of the dorsal striatum during reward-related trial-and-error learning was investigated in 17 people with schizophrenia and 18 healthy volunteers and related to striatal grey matter volume and psychopathology. We used voxel-based morphometry and psychophysiological interaction to examine striatal volume and connectivity. A reduced functional connectivity between left striatum and temporo-occipital areas, precuneus and insula could be detected in the schizophrenia group. The positive correlation between grey matter volume and functional connectivity of the left striatum yielded significant results in a very similar network. Connectivity of the left striatum was negatively correlated with negative symptoms. Present results suggest a disruption in striatal functional connectivity that is closely linked to grey matter morphometry of the striatum. Decreased connectivity between the striatum and psychopathologically relevant networks may explain the emergence of negative symptoms.