Changes in cerebellar functional connectivity and anatomical connectivity in schizophrenia: a combined resting-state functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging study.

PURPOSE

To examine the functional and anatomical connectivity of the cerebellum and their relationship in schizophrenia through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten subjects with schizophrenia and 10 healthy controls underwent resting-state fMRI and DTI. Left and right cerebellar seed regions were used in a voxel-wise functional connectivity analysis of the cerebellum. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured to assess white matter integrity of the middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) and superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP). Differences in functional connectivity and FA values between the two groups were determined by two-sample t-tests. The relationship between functional connectivity and FA values in both groups were assessed using Pearson s correlation.

RESULTS

Decreased functional connectivity to the left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral middle cingulate cortex, right paracentral lobule, right thalamus, and bilateral cerebellum were found in subjects with schizophrenia when compared to healthy controls; while decreased FA values in the left SCP were found in subjects with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. Significant correlation was observed between the functional connectivity of the left cerebellum-right paracentral lobule and right cerebellum-right thalamus and the FA values of the MCP in healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this multi-modal imaging study support functional and anatomical connectivity abnormalities and the role of the cerebellum in schizophrenia. They also indicate the need for further investigation regarding the relationship between functional and anatomical connectivity and its role in neuropathophysiology.