| Περίληψη: | Schizophrenia is associated with morphological changes in the structure of the brain. With the use of advanced imaging techniques, especially MRI, the brain structure and functionality can be investigated. The technique used in our study is rs-fMRI, which examines the functional architecture of the brain at rest.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate some rs-fMRI indices as functional biomarkers, to identify differences between patients with schizophrenia and a healthy control group, and to identify functional differences in patients before and after a non-pharmacological treatment.
Sixteen patients with schizophrenia participated in the study, who were divided into two groups based on the treatment they received. Group 1 consists of 7 patients who have undergone a therapeutic intervention as well as cognitive interventions known as IPT. Group 2 consists of 9 patients who received the same treatment intervention as the first group but did not receive cognitive IPT interventions. In addition, 15 healthy individuals participated, who were selected to match the age and sex of the patients.
All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging with a 3T MRI scanner equipped with an 8-channel brain coil and with the same imaging protocol included high-resolution 3DT1-weighted and T2*-EPI imaging data anatomical images.
The analyzes of the images were performed using CONN, a MATLAB-based multi-platform software for calculating, displaying, and analyzing functional fMRI connectivity. Three indicators were extracted from this software, Intrinsic Connectivity Contrast (ICC), Global Correlation (GCOR) and Integrated Local Correlation (LCOR).
Four people from the healthy control group were rejected due to limited imaging quality and a new healthy group was created (hg_exc_qa). Firstly, we created a statistical model that compared the hg_exc_qa group with patients with schizophrenia and then performed separate longitudinal studies for each patient group.
The results for the comparison between the hg_exc_qa group and the patients for the ICC and LCOR indices detect functional differences mainly in the areas of the Occipital Lobe and the Lateral Occipital Cortex, while for the GCOR index no functional differences appear. The results of the longitudinal study for group 1 for the ICC and GCOR indices identify functional differences in the areas of the Occipital Lobe, Lateral Occipital Cortex, Cuneal and Frontal Cortex and the Precentral Gyrus and for the LCOR index in the areas of the Occipital Lobe and Precuneus Cortex. The longitudinal study for group 2 showed no functional differences.
Finally, we conclude that ICC and GCOR imaging biomarkers can detect functional differences; in case of our study were localized in the occipital lobe. Also, we assume that LCOR index fail to identify functional differences in schizophrenia patients due to a non-pharmaceutical therapy. Finally, it is important to note that further research is needed on the biomarkers of the CONN Toolbox, because rs fMRI is an excellent tool for visualizing brain connectivity.
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