Association of regional grey matter abnormalities with cognitive functions in the at risk mental state

Abstract

Objective

There is some evidence that psychosis and its prodrome are associated with neuroanatomical abnormalities and cognitive deficits. However, the brain structure - cognition associations in this disorder are less clear. The aim of the study was to investigate brain structure – cognition associations in individuals with an At Risk Mental State (ARMS) relative to patients with first-episode psychosis and healthy volunteers.

Methods

The subjects were recruited through a specialised clinic for the early detection of psychosis (FEPSY) at the Psychiatric Outpatient Department, University Hospital Basel. We examined structural brain abnormalities, identified using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and cognitive function (general intelligence, attention, executive function, and working memory) in 32 individuals at high risk of developing psychosis (ARMS), 22 patients with a first-episode psychosis and 11 healthy volunteers.

Results

We expect that regional grey matter volume abnormalities are associated with specific cognitive deficits in people with an ARMS.

Conclusions

We predict that some associations are specific to individuals with an ARMS and may be a correlate of their increased vulnerability to psychosis. Furthermore, we expect structure – cognition associations within the high risk group to be associated with the subsequent onset of psychosis.