Do inter-regional gray-matter volumetric correlations reflect altered functional connectivity in high-risk offspring of schizophrenia patients?

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia patients and their relatives show aberrant functional connectivity in default network regions (DRs) such as the medial prefrontal, lateral temporal, cingulate and inferior parietal cortices and executive regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Gray-matter volumetric alterations may be related to these functional connectivity deficits. Also, gray-matter volume inter-regional correlations may reflect altered inter-regional functional connectivity.

AIMS

To examine our prediction of alterations of gray-matter volumes and inter-regional volume correlations for DRs and the DLPFC in offspring of schizophrenia patients (OS).

METHODS

We assessed 64 adolescent and young adult OS and 80 healthy controls (HC) using T1-MRI. Regional gray-matter volumes and inter-regional volume correlations between the DRs and between the DLPFC and DRs on each side were compared across groups.

RESULTS

Compared to HC, OS had reductions in several DRs and the DLPFC after controlling age, gender, and intra-cranial volume, and correcting for multiple comparisons. OS had stronger (more positive) gray-matter volume inter-correlations between DRs and between DRs and the DLPFC.

CONCLUSIONS

Volumetric deficits in the default network and in the DLPFC may be related to familial diathesis in schizophrenia and to functional connectivity abnormalities in those at familial risk. Increased inter-correlations between DRs and between DR and DLPFC gray-matter volumes may serve as surrogate indices of abnormal functional connectivity.