Background
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a relatively new neuroimaging technique that can
be used to examine the microstructure of white matter in vivo. A systematic review
of DTI studies in schizophrenia was undertaken to test the hypothesis that DTI can
detect white matter differences between schizophrenia patients and normal control
subjects.
Methods
EMBASE, PubMed, Medline, and PsychInfo were searched online and key journals were
searched manually for studies comparing anisotropy (a measure of white matter integrity)
between patients and control subjects. Nineteen articles were systematically reviewed.
Results
Though 16 studies found differences, methodological and data differences prevented
a meta-analysis. Fourteen studies found reduced anisotropy in patients; two studies
found only a loss of normal asymmetry. The region of investigation varied across studies,
however, and when the same region (for example, the cingulum) was examined in different
studies, as many failed to find a difference as found one. These inconsistencies may
be the result of small sample sizes and differences in methodology.
Conclusions
Diffusion tensor imaging has yet to provide consistent findings of white matter abnormalities
in schizophrenia. Its potential as a means of examining anatomical connectivity may
be realized with the study of larger, more homogenous groups of subjects and with
ongoing improvements in image analysis.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 27, 2005
Accepted:
May 4,
2005
Received in revised form:
May 2,
2005
Received:
February 8,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
