Very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) is associated with significant burden. Its clinical importance is increasing as the global population of older adults rises, yet owing to limited research in this population, the neurobiological underpinnings of VLOSP remain insufficiently clarified. Here we address this knowledge gap using novel morphometry techniques to investigate grey matter volume (GMV) differences between VLOSLP and healthy older adults, and their correlations with neuropsychological scores.

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated whole-brain GMV differences between 35 individuals with VLOSLP (mean age 76.7, 26 female) and 36 healthy controls (mean age 75.7, 27 female) using whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and supplementary source-based morphometry (SBM) on high resolution 3D T1-weighted MRI images. Additionally, we investigated relationships between GMV differences and cognitive function assessed with an extensive neuropsychological battery.

VBM showed lower GMV in the thalamus, left inferior frontal gyrus and left insula in patients with VLOSLP compared to healthy controls. SBM revealed lower thalamo-temporal GMV in patients with VLOSLP. Processing speed, selective attention, mental flexibility, working memory, verbal memory, semantic fluency and confrontation naming were impaired in patients with VLOSLP. Correlations between thalamic volumes and memory function were significant within the group of individuals with VLOSLP, whereas no significant associations remained in the healthy controls.

Lower GMV in the thalamus and fronto-temporal regions may be part of the underlying neurobiology of VLOSLP, with lower thalamic GMV contributing to memory impairment in the disorder.

Women present a second peak of incidence of psychosis during menopausal transition, partially explained by the loss of estrogen protection conferred during the reproductive years. Despite this, few studies compare sociodemographic, biological, clinical varibles and neurocognitive performance between women with early onset of psychosis (EOP) and those with late onset of psychosis (LOP).

Our aim was to characterize both groups in a large sample of women, of which 294 were FEP patients (EOP = 205; LOP = 85) and 202 were healthy controls (HC) grouped following cutoff point (<>40 years of age) in previous studies.

Clinical and laboratory assessments were completed. Neurocognitive performance was also evaluated, and a cognitive global deficit score (GDS) was derived. ANCOVA was used for comparisons.

EOP women were more frequently single and unemployed than comparable HC. Cholesterol levels in LOP women were higher than those of EOP women. LOP presented less severe symptoms, and higher scores in processing speed and premorbid IQ than EOP patients. Cannabis and alcohol use were also more frequent in EOP than LOP women.

Women with EOP and LOP show several sociodemographic, neuropsychological and clinical differences which may be valuable for planning personalized treatment emphasizing in socialization and differential generational dynamics. Some of these differences may be due to the aging process, while others might be influenced by factors such as lack of estrogen neuroprotection. In turn, drug consumption, low IQ and recent experienced trauma could as well reduce efficacy of hormonal neuroprotection.

No significant relationships.