White matter microstructural abnormalities in individuals with attenuated positive symptom syndromes

White matter (WM) microstructural alterations have been extensively studied in patients with psychosis, but research on the microstructure of WM in individuals with attenuated positive symptom syndrome (APSS) is currently limited. To improve the understanding of the neuropathology in APSS, this study investigated the WM of individuals with APSS using diffusion tensor and T1-weighted imaging. Automated fiber quantification was used to calculate the diffusion index values along the trajectories of 20 major fiber tracts in 42 individuals with APSS and 51 age-and sex-matched healthy control (HC) individuals. The diffusion index values in each of fiber tracts were compared node-by-node between the 2 groups. Compared with the HC group, the APSS group showed differences in the diffusion index values in partial segments of the callosum forceps minor, left and right cingulum cingulate, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, right corticospinal tract, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, and arcuate fasciculus. Notably, in the APSS group positive associations were found between the axial diffusivity values of the partial nodes of the left and right cingulum cingulate and the current Global Assessment of Functioning scores, as well as between the axial diffusivity values of the partial nodes of the right corticospinal tract and negative symptoms scores and reasoning and problem-solving scores. These findings suggest that in-dividuals with APSS exhibit reduced WM integrity or possible impaired myelin in certain segments of WM tracts involved in the frontal-and limbic-cortical connections. Additionally, abnormal WM tracts appear to be asso-ciated with impaired general function and neurocognitive function. This study provides important new insights into the neurobiology of APSS and highlights potential targets for future intervention and treatment.

Automated summary

This study investigated the microstructure of white matter (WM) in individuals with attenuated positive symptom syndrome (APSS) using diffusion tensor and T1-weighted imaging. Compared with healthy controls, individuals with APSS showed differences in diffusion index values in certain segments of WM tracts involved in frontal and limbic-cortical connections. Abnormal WM tracts were also associated with impaired general and neurocognitive function.