Dysconnectivity of multiple resting-state networks in patients with schizophrenia who have persistent auditory verbal hallucinations
Nadine Donata Wolf, Fabio Sambataro, Nenad Vasić, Karel Frasch, Markus M. Schmid, Carlos Schönfeldt-lecuona, Philipp Arthur Thomann, Robert Christian Wolf
Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience October 20, 2011 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.110008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control functional neuroimaging study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Patients with schizophrenia who had persistent and treatment-refractory auditory verbal hallucinations, compared with healthy controls |
| Citations | 138 |
| Key findings | Patients with persistent auditory verbal hallucinations showed increased connectivity in bilateral temporal regions and decreased connectivity in the cingulate cortex within a speech-related resting-state network, plus abnormal connectivity in attention and executive control networks. Hallucination severity correlated with connectivity in the left anterior cingulate, left superior temporal gyrus, and right lateral prefrontal cortex. The authors conclude that disrupted intrinsic connectivity of a speech-related network may underlie persistent hallucinations. |
Abstract
Background: Functional neuroimaging studies on schizophrenia have suggested abnormal task-related functional connectivity in patients with schizophrenia who have auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs). However, little is known about intrinsic functional connectivity in these patients.
Methods: Between January 2009 and February 2010, we studied patients with schizophrenia who had persistent and treatment-refractory AVHs in comparison with healthy controls. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied the functional connectivity of multiple resting state networks (RSNs) and their relation to symptom severity. We analyzed the data using a spatial group independent component analysis, and we used random-effects t tests to compare spatial components between groups.
Results: There were 10 patients and 14 controls enrolled in this study. In total, 16 RSNs were identified, from which we selected 4 networks of interest for further analyses. Within a speech-related network, patients showed increased connectivity in bilateral temporal regions and decreased connectivity in the cingulate cortex. Within 2 additional RSNs associated with attention and executive control, respectively, patients exhibited abnormal connectivity in the precuneus and right lateral prefrontal areas. We found correlations between measures of AVH severity and functional connectivity of the left anterior cingulate, left superior temporal gyrus and right lateral prefrontal cortex.
Limitations: The relatively small sample size, the patients' use of antipsychotic medication and the lack of a clinical control group have to be considered as potential limitations.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that disrupted intrinsic connectivity of a speech-related network could underlie persistent AVHs in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, the occurrence of hallucinatory symptoms seems to modulate RSNs associated with attention and executive control.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Auditory Hallucinations and the Brain’s Resting-State Networks: Findings and Methodological Observations Schizophrenia Bulletin June 8, 2016
- Are Auditory Hallucinations Related to the Brain's Resting State Activity? A 'Neurophenomenal Resting State Hypothesis' Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience December 26, 2014
- Disturbance of Intentionality: A Phenomenological Study of Body-Affecting First-Rank Symptoms in Schizophrenia PLoS One September 3, 2013
- A working model of neural activity and phenomenal experience in psychosis. Molecular Psychiatry December 1, 2024
- Candidate Multimodal MRI Markers of Persistent Auditory Verbal Hallucinations: A Controlled Pilot Study Tomography August 18, 2026
and 3 more in the library