Association Between Lack of Insight and Prefrontal Serotonin Transporter Availability in Antipsychotic-Free Patients with Schizophrenia: A High-Resolution PET Study with [11C]DASB

Abstract

Background: Previous studies suggested a link between serotonergic neurotransmission and impaired insight in schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the relationship between serotonin transporter (SERT) availability in regions of the prefrontal cortex (dorsolateral, ventrolateral, ventromedial, and orbitofrontal cortices) and insight deficits in antipsychotic-free patients with schizophrenia using high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) with [ 11 C]DASB. Methods: Nineteen patients underwent [ 11 C]DASB PET and 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scans. To assess SERT availability, the binding potential with respect to non-displaceable compartment (BP ND ) was derived using the simplified reference tissue model. Patients' level of insight was assessed using the Insight and Treatment Attitude Questionnaire (ITAQ). The relationship between ITAQ scores and [ 11 C]DASB BP ND values was examined using the region-of-interest (ROI)-and voxel-based analyses with relevant variables as covariates. The prefrontal cortex and its four subregions were selected as a priori ROIs since the prefrontal cortex has been implicated as the critical neuroanatomical substrate of impaired insight in schizophrenia. Results:The ROI-based analysis revealed that the ITAQ illness insight dimension had significant negative correlations with the [ 11 C]DASB BP ND in the left dorsolateral, left orbitofrontal, and bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortices. The ITAQ treatment insight dimension had significant negative correlations with the [ 11 C]DASB BP ND in the bilateral dorsolateral, left orbitofrontal, and bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortices. The ITAQ total score showed significant negative correlations with the [ 11 C]DASB BP ND in the bilateral prefrontal cortex and three subregions (dorsolateral, ventrolateral, and orbitofrontal cortices). A supplementary voxel-based analysis corroborated a significant negative association between the ITAQ score and the [ 11 C]DASB BP ND in the prefrontal cortices. Conclusion:Our study provides in vivo evidence of significant negative correlations between insight deficits and prefrontal SERT availability in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting significant involvement of prefrontal serotonergic signaling in impaired insight, one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia.

Abnormal interhemispheric functional cooperation in schizophrenia follows the neurotransmitter profiles

“…Furthermore, changes in 5-HT T are associated with cognitive deficits in patients with schizo-phrenia. 67 Associations of both serotonergic dysfunction and 5-HT T polymorphisms 68 with schizophrenia pathophysiology have also been reported. 66,69 Moreover, some newly developed antipsychotic medications preferentially target the serotonin system.…”

Ultra-high field neuroimaging in psychosis: A narrative review

“…More recently, Liang et al ( 49 ) recovered a consistent subtype of patients with schizophrenia with marked and generalized cortical thinning; this subtype was noticeable even when a smaller sample was studied using 7T compared to 3T MRI, and was associated with higher 7T-MRS derived glutamate levels. In another novel application, Kim et al ( 50 ) used a hybrid 7T MRI-PET to report prefrontal serotonin transporter distribution in relation to insight in schizophrenia.…”