Background
Two of the strongest predictors of later schizophrenia in the Edinburgh High Risk
Study (EHRS) were the presence of schizotypal features and increased right prefrontal
lobe cortical folding. We examined the association between these measures in adolescents
at enhanced risk of developing schizophrenia due to cognitive impairment.
Methods
One hundred forty-three adolescents receiving special education were divided into
two groups using the cut-off on the Structured Interview for Schizotypy (SIS) which
optimally predicted later schizophrenia in the EHRS. Each participant received a structural
magnetic resonance imaging scan. Prefrontal tissue volumes and a standard measure
of cortical folding, the gyrification index (GI), were determined automatically using
automated (A)-GI methodology.
Results
Those who scored above the SIS cut-off had a significantly higher right prefrontal
lobe GI compared to those below the cut-off (F = 4.72, p = .03). GI correlated strongly with prefrontal tissue volumes, although when prefrontal
volume was added as a covariate to the GI analysis a trend towards a group difference
remained evident.
Conclusions
The level of schizotypal cognitions among adolescents with cognitive impairment identifies
a group with the same pattern of cortical folding seen in those with familial risk
factors who later develop the disorder. Increased right prefrontal GI may reflect
disordered connectivity in individuals with the greatest risk of developing schizophrenia.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 25, 2007
Accepted:
April 6,
2007
Received in revised form:
March 15,
2007
Received:
January 8,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
