Subcortical Brain Volumes Relate to Neurocognition in First-Episode Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression Disorder, and Healthy Controls

ObjectiveTo explore differences and similarities in relationships between subcortical structure volumes and neurocognition among the four subject groups, including first-episode schizophrenia (FES), bipolar disorder (BD), major depression disorder (MDD), and healthy controls (HCs). MethodsWe presented findings from subcortical volumes and neurocognitive analyses of 244 subjects (109 patients with FES; 63 patients with BD, 30 patients with MDD, and 42 HCs). Using the FreeSurfer software, volumes of 16 selected subcortical structures were automatically segmented and analyzed for relationships with results from seven neurocognitive tests from the MATRICS (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) Cognitive Consensus Battery (MCCB). ResultsLarger left lateral ventricle volumes in FES and BD, reduced bilateral hippocampus and amygdala volumes in FES, and lower bilateral amygdala volumes in BD and MDD were presented compared with HCs, and both FES and BD had a lower bilateral amygdala volume than MDD; there were seven cognitive dimension, five cognitive dimension, and two cognitive dimension impairments in FES, BD, and MDD, respectively; significant relationships were found between subcortical volumes and neurocognition in FES and BD but not in MDD and HCs; besides age and years of education, some subcortical volumes can predict neurocognitive performances variance. ConclusionThe different degrees of subcortical volume lessening may contribute to the differences in cognitive impairment among the three psychiatric disorders.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the differences and similarities in subcortical structure volumes and neurocognition among individuals with first-episode schizophrenia (FES), bipolar disorder (BD), major depression disorder (MDD), and healthy controls (HCs). The findings revealed that FES and BD patients had larger left lateral ventricle volumes, while FES had reduced bilateral hippocampus and amygdala volumes compared to HCs. Both BD and MDD showed lower bilateral amygdala volumes than HCs. Additionally, FES, BD, and MDD displayed varying degrees of cognitive impairments across different cognitive dimensions. Significant relationships were found between subcortical volumes and neurocognition in FES and BD, but not in MDD and HCs. Furthermore, some subcortical volumes, along with age and years of education, were found to predict variations in neurocognitive performance.