Schizophrenia linked to subcortical auditory deficitsJune 17, 2019 - 11:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Schizophrenia and major depression exhibit different neural profiles related to auditory detection deficits, in which the auditory mismatch in schizophrenia is propagated along the auditory pathway from subcortical levels to the cortical stage, according to study results published in Schizophrenia Bulletin. The investigators of this study sought to examine exactly where in the auditory hierarchy the schizophrenic deficit can first be detected, and if the well-known cortical deficit is a direct consequence of dysfunction at lower hierarchical (subcortical) levels. In addition, the investigators sought to characterize the differences between auditory mismatch profiles in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder with auditory processing deficits, Psychiatry Advisor says. The study included 29 patients with schizophrenia, 27 patients with major depressive disorder, and 31 healthy controls matching patient groups by age, gender, and education. The investigators assessed auditory mismatch processing using functional magnetic resonance imaging, which has been demonstrated to show localized disturbances of functional connectivity in cortical as well as subcortical responses. Whole-brain activation analysis was used to define 5 different mismatch conditions as predictors of interest. Regions of interest analyses characterized processing differences along the auditory hierarchy among patient groups, and path and connectivity analysis explored the causal relationships between subcortical and cortical deficits. In whole-brain activation analysis, mismatch deficits in patients with schizophrenia were observed at all stages of the auditory pathway, including the inferior colliculus, thalamus, auditory cortex, and prefrontal cortex; however, in patients with depression, significant deficits were observed only in the prefrontal cortex. In path analysis, activation deficits observed in schizophrenia fit a feed-forward model, in which deficits were propagated from subcortical nodes to cortical nodes. Reduced connectivity along this processing stream was exhibited by both patients with schizophrenia and with major depression, indicating there was no significant group effect on condition-dependent connectivity. Limitations to the study include the small number of participants and the absence of a patient group with bipolar disorder; in addition, all participants received psychotropic medication and had higher nicotine consumption than the general population. Future studies with large samples should test the effects of medication and nicotine use on sensory deficits. The investigators suggest that auditory change detection deficits already begin to manifest at the subcortical level and contribute to well-known cortical deficits specific to schizophrenia, whereas depression is associated only with cortical dysfunction. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |