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Longitudinal hippocampal subfield development associated with psychotic experiences in young people

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posted on 2024-03-19, 09:33 authored by Aisling O'Neill, Niamh Dooley, Darren RoddyDarren Roddy, Colm Healy, Eleanor Carey, Thomas Frodl, Erik O'Hanlon, Mary CannonMary Cannon

Hippocampal volumetric reductions are observed across the psychosis spectrum, with interest in the localisation of these reductions within the hippocampal subfields increasing. Deficits of the CA1 subfield in particular have been implicated in the neuropathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Investigating the trajectory of these abnormalities in healthy adolescents reporting sub-threshold psychotic experiences (PE) can provide insight into the neural mechanisms underlying psychotic symptoms without the potentially confounding effects of a formal disorder, or antipsychotic medication. In this novel investigation, a sample of 211 young people aged 11-13 participated initially in the Adolescent Brain Development study. PE classification was determined by expert consensus at each timepoint. Participants underwent neuroimaging at 3 timepoints, over 6 years. 78 participants with at least one scan were included in the final sample; 33 who met criteria for a definite PE at least once across all the timepoints (PE group), and 45 controls. Data from bilateral subfields of interest (CA1, CA2/3, CA4/DG, presubiculum and subiculum) were extracted for Linear Mixed Effects analyses. Before correction, subfield volumes were found to increase in the control group and decrease in the PE group for the right CA2 and CA2/3 subfields, with moderate to large effect sizes (d = -0.61, and d = -0.79, respectively). Before correction, right subiculum and left presubiculum volumes were reduced in the PE group compared to controls, regardless of time, with moderate effect sizes (d = -0.52, and d = -0.59, respectively). However, none of these effects survived correction. Severity of symptoms were not associated with any of the noted subfields. These findings provide novel insight to the discussion of the role of hippocampal subfield abnormalities in the pathophysiology underlying psychotic experiences. 

Funding

European Research Council Consolidator Award (iHEAR 724809

RCSI STAR PhD studentship

History

Comments

The original article is available at https://www.nature.com/

Published Citation

O'Neill A, et al. Longitudinal hippocampal subfield development associated with psychotic experiences in young people. Transl Psychiatry. 2024;14(1):44.

Publication Date

20 January 2024

PubMed ID

38245522

Department/Unit

  • Psychiatry

Publisher

Springer Nature Limited

Version

  • Published Version (Version of Record)