Grey matter correlates of minor physical anomalies in the AESOP first-episode psychosis study

Background Minor physical anomalies are more prevalent among people with psychosis. This supports a neurodevelopmental aetiology for psychotic disorders, since these anomalies and the brain are both ectodermally derived. However, little is understood about the brain regions implicated in this association. Aims To examine the relationship between minor physical anomalies and grey matter structure in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis. Method Sixty patients underwent assessment of minor physical anomalies with the Lane scale. High-resolution magnetic resonance images and voxel-based methods of image analysis were used to investigate brain structure in these patients. Results The total anomalies score was associated with a grey matter reduction in the prefrontal cortex and precuneus and with a grey matter excess in the basal ganglia, thalamus and lingual gyrus. Conclusions Minor physical anomalies in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis are associated with regional grey matter changes. These regional changes may be important in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorder.