BrainAGE score indicates accelerated brain aging in schizophrenia, but not bipolar disorder

• Published in: Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging Vol. 266; pp. 86 - 89
• Main Authors: Nenadić, Igor, Dietzek, Maren, Langbein, Kerstin, Sauer, Heinrich, Gaser, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 30.08.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Aging; Aging - pathology; Aging, Premature - diagnostic imaging; Aging, Premature - pathology; Bipolar disorder; Bipolar Disorder - diagnostic imaging; Bipolar Disorder - pathology; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - pathology; BrainAGE score; Female; Humans; Machine Learning; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatry; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - pathology; Radiology; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnostic imaging; Schizophrenia - pathology; Young Adult; Psychosis; Machine learning; Aging; Schizophrenia; Bipolar disorder; BrainAGE score; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); bipolar disorder; aging; schizophrenia; machine learning; psychosis
• ISSN: 0925-4927; 1872-7506; 1872-7506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.05.006

BrainAGE (brain age gap estimation) is a novel morphometric parameter providing a univariate score derived from multivariate voxel-wise analyses. It uses a machine learning approach and can be used to analyse deviation from physiological developmental or aging-related trajectories. Using structural MRI data and BrainAGE quantification of acceleration or deceleration of in individual aging, we analysed data from 45 schizophrenia patients, 22 bipolar I disorder patients (mostly with previous psychotic symptoms / episodes), and 70 healthy controls. We found significantly higher BrainAGE scores in schizophrenia, but not bipolar disorder patients. Our findings indicate significantly accelerated brain structural aging in schizophrenia. This suggests, that despite the conceptualisation of schizophrenia as a neurodevelopmental disorder, there might be an additional progressive pathogenic component. •BrainAGE score is a novel indicator for accelerated aging.•We found elevated BrainAGE score in schizophrenia, but not bipolar disorder.•Schizophrenia might involve a progressive brain structural process.