Discrepancies in brain regions may predict psychosis risk: Study
A recent study has highlighted how discrepancies between brain regions linked to a common gene deletion can help assess the risk of developing psychosis. This gene deletion, known as 22q11.2DS microdeletion, affects approximately one in every 2,000 individuals.
Background
Researchers from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, have been studying 300 patients aged 5-34 years for the past 20 years. This gene deletion results in the absence of a small DNA sequence on chromosome 22 and is associated with heart defects and immune system malfunctions. Additionally, about one-third of individuals with this deletion may develop psychotic disorders during their teenage years or adulthood. The study found that almost 40% of the cohort developed schizophrenia.
Study Focus
The study, published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, examined how the interactions, or “coupling,” between brain regions develop from childhood to adulthood. These interactions are crucial for cognitive processes. The researchers aimed to determine if less efficient coupling in individuals with the gene deletion indicated an increased risk of developing psychosis.
Methodology
Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the team observed brain development in the study cohort over 12 years. They identified a persistent discrepancy in the interactions between three brain regions:
Â
- Frontal Cortex: Responsible for coordinated movement and language.
- Cingulate Cortex: Involved in processing pain and emotions.
- Temporal Cortex: Processes auditory and visual information, along with memory
Findings
The study found marked discrepancies, especially during teenage years, in the coupling between these brain regions. According to Silas Forrer, the first author and a PhD student in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Geneva, individuals with the gene deletion exhibited a persistent developmental discrepancy, with regions showing both hyper-coupling and hypo-coupling throughout the brain. Hyper-coupling refers to more-than-optimal coherent interactions, while hypo-coupling indicates less-than-optimal coherence.
Implications
The researchers emphasized the strong link between gene deletion and discrepancies in brain development, considering it a significant step towards identifying predictive markers for psychosis. Lead author Stephan Eliez, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Geneva, explained that the next step is to determine how these couplings can serve as an individual “fingerprint” of the brain. This could potentially help identify individuals at a higher or lower risk of developing psychosis.
Conclusions
This long-term study provides valuable insights into the relationship between the 22q11.2DS microdeletion and the risk of developing psychotic disorders. Understanding these brain region discrepancies could pave the way for better predictive markers and individualized assessments for psychosis risk.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
