Abstract
Background: Working memory (WM) deficits in schizophrenia have been associated with
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) dysfunction in neuroimaging studies. We previously
found increased DLPFC activation in schizophrenic versus normal subjects during WM
performance (
Manoach et al 1999b
). We now have investigated whether schizophrenic subjects recruit different brain
regions, particularly the basal ganglia and thalamus, components of frontostriatal
circuitry thought to mediate WM.Methods: We examined regional brain activation in nine normal and nine schizophrenic
subjects during WM performance using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects
performed a modified version of the Sternberg Item Recognition Paradigm that included
a monetary reward for correct responses. We compared high and low WM load conditions
to each other and to a non-WM baseline condition. We examined activation in both individual
subjects and averaged group data.
Results: Relative to normal subjects, schizophrenic subjects exhibited deficient WM
performance, at least an equal magnitude of right DLPFC activation, significantly
greater left DLPFC activation, and increased spatial heterogeneity of DLPFC activation.
Furthermore, only the schizophrenic group activated the basal ganglia and thalamus,
even when matched for task performance with the normal group.
Conclusions: Aberrant WM performance and brain activation in schizophrenia may reflect
dysfunction of frontostriatal circuitry that subserves WM. Future studies will elucidate
the contribution of the anatomical components of this circuitry to WM deficits.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 9,
1999
Received in revised form:
December 8,
1999
Received:
June 18,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
