Work

Differential structural cortical correlates of positive, negative, and linguistic control formal thought disorder dimensions in schizophrenia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Formal thought disorder (FTD) is a core symptom of schizophrenia. The pathophysiology of FTD is still unclear. We focus on multiple cortical measures to capture the exact nature of brain alterations (e.g., plasticity, early brain development) in FTD dimensions. We included 70 schizophrenia patients. We assessed FTD, acquired structural neuroimaging scans, and analyzed cortical thickness, volume, surface area, and local gyrification (IGI). Results reveal negative FTD to be associated with different structural brain correlates compared to the positive and linguistic control FTD dimensions most prominent in markers of early brain development. Severity of positive and linguistic control FTD dimensions correlated positively with IGI of core language regions including temporal, Heschl's, and inferior frontal gyri. Severity of negative FTD dimension was inversely correlated with lGI of occipital and parietal regions. Findings propose distinguishable changes most prominent in markers of early brain development associated with FTD dimensions suggesting a distinct pathophysiology.

Source: Schizophrenia

DOI: 10.1038/s41537-025-00644-8

Authors: Jürgen Hänggi, Sebastian Walther, Nicole Gangl, Frauke Conring, Katharina Stegmayer

Institutions: University of Bern, University of Würzburg, University Hospital of Bern

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,890