Brain structural anomalies in both gray and white matter have been found in patients with schizophrenia. A strong genetic component has also been established for schizophrenia although the mode of inheritance is unknown. We propose that the symptoms of schizophrenia are based on underlying deficits in the axonal connections (white matter) that facilitate language perception and production, particularly through the left superior temporal gyrus including Heschl?s gyrus and the planum temporale. We further hypothesize that a disturbance in this portion of brain could underlie the genetic predisposition for schizophrenia. This hypothesis will be pursued using the newest brain imaging technology available to examine brain white matter integrity, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Magnetization Transfer Imaging (MT). Combined, both methods complement each other and can give information about white matter microstructure that may reflect fiber organization, fiber directional coherence, fiber integrity and/or variations in myelination. Thus, sets of siblings with schizophrenia, their well siblings and pairs of siblings who have no psychotic illness in themselves or their family members will be examined using these imaging techniques. The results from this project will determine whether variation in white matter integrity is familial in both normal individuals and individuals from families afflicted with schizophrenia and whether it is associated with the inherited tendency for schizophrenia. The unraveling of a brain white matter pathology underlying schizophrenia could lead to the establishment of new pharmacologic agents aimed at correcting these defects and protecting the brains of high familial-risk individuals from developing abnormally. Since this hypothesis has not been tested specifically in this way and is speculative, but if correct, may have a great impact on future research, we are using the R21 exploratory mechanism.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21MH071720-02
Application #
7027104
Study Section
Neural Basis of Psychopathology, Addictions and Sleep Disorders Study Section (NPAS)
Program Officer
Meinecke, Douglas L
Project Start
2005-04-01
Project End
2008-03-31
Budget Start
2006-04-01
Budget End
2008-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$124,692
Indirect Cost
Name
Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
167204762
City
Orangeburg
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10962
Li, Xiaobo; Black, Margaret; Xia, Shugao et al. (2015) Subcortical structure alterations impact language processing in individuals with schizophrenia and those at high genetic risk. Schizophr Res 169:76-82
Li, Xiaobo; Alapati, Venkatesh; Jackson, Courtney et al. (2012) Structural abnormalities in language circuits in genetic high-risk subjects and schizophrenia patients. Psychiatry Res 201:182-9
Li, Xiaobo; Xia, Shugao; Bertisch, Hilary C et al. (2012) Unique topology of language processing brain network: a systems-level biomarker of schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 141:128-36
Bertisch, Hilary; Li, Dawei; Hoptman, Matthew J et al. (2010) Heritability estimates for cognitive factors and brain white matter integrity as markers of schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 153B:885-94
Li, Xiaobo; Branch, Craig A; Nierenberg, Jay et al. (2010) Disturbed functional connectivity of cortical activation during semantic discrimination in patients with schizophrenia and subjects at genetic high-risk. Brain Imaging Behav 4:109-20
Porton, Barbara; Delisi, Lynn E; Bertisch, Hilary C et al. (2008) Telomerase levels in schizophrenia: a preliminary study. Schizophr Res 106:242-7
Hoptman, Matthew J; Nierenberg, Jay; Bertisch, Hilary C et al. (2008) A DTI study of white matter microstructure in individuals at high genetic risk for schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 106:115-24
DeLisi, Lynn E (2008) The concept of progressive brain change in schizophrenia: implications for understanding schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 34:312-21
Kao, H-T; Cawthon, R M; Delisi, L E et al. (2008) Rapid telomere erosion in schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 13:118-9
Li, Xiaobo; Branch, Craig A; Ardekani, Babak A et al. (2007) fMRI study of language activation in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and in individuals genetically at high risk. Schizophr Res 96:14-24

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications