Identification of neural structural markers and patterns of brain connectivity that predict conversion to psychosis

• Grant number: 12/19790-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan
• Grantee: Luana de Souza Bento da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50740-5 - Prevention in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from neuroscience to the community: a multiphase, multimodal and translational platform for research and intervention, AP.TEM

Abstract

Neuroimaging studies suggest that structural changes and connectivity are observed before the onset of symptoms of schizophrenia and progress with disease progression. Has been well established that patients with schizophrenia have reduced volume of the hippocampus, temporal cortex, frontal and parietal abnormalities and connectivity between these regions. recent studies in individuals with risk mental state (EMR) demonstrated reductions cortical (frontal) and connectivity (fronto-temporal), though more subtle and difficult to detect. To date, no study neuroimaging evaluated the structure, structural and functional connectivity together as possible predictors of conversion to psychosis in EMR. this study aims to test the hypothesis that individuals in EMR that convert to psychosis show a pattern of commitment and neuroestrutural structural and functional connectivity that can differentiate them from those at risk mental state and not convert. The objective of this study is to identify structural patterns and structural connectivity and functional predictors of conversion to psychosis in individuals at EMR. Shall be included 40 individuals from 12 EMR and 20 years who meet criteria for EMR already established in the literature. Hopefully with our results identify risk factors for conversion to psychosis and provide neurobiological evidence consistent to allow early interventions to reduce conversion rates in individuals at EMR. (AU)