Quantitative gray matter volumetric analysis in schizophrenia: investigating the risk of violent behaviors through structural MRI

Abstract

Background Extensive research has been dedicated to exploring the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia, yet there has been comparatively less emphasis on investigating specific markers associated with violent behaviors within this condition. Aim of the study This study aimed to compare gray matter thickness and volume and investigate clinical markers for assessing violence risk in schizophrenia. Results We enrolled a total of 36 participants, comprising 19 patients with a documented history of violent behaviors in schizophrenia and 17 patients with no such history. Schizophrenia patients with a history of violence exhibited a significant reduction in cortical thickness in the left caudal-middle-frontal gyrus (2.540 ± 0.146 mm) compared to those without such history (2.757 ± 0.126 mm) (P = 0.0301). Similarly, the cortical volume in the right middle temporal gyrus was decreased in patients with a history of violence (15.579 ± 8.790 mm3) compared to non-violent patients (29.941 ± 13.585 mm3) (P = 0.0071). ROC analysis demonstrated promising diagnostic efficiency, with an AUC of 0.876 for left caudal-middle-frontal gyrus thickness (P = 0.000) and 0.794 for right middle temporal gyrus volume (P = 0.003). Conclusions Our findings highlight brain cortical assessments as potential diagnostic biomarkers to identify individuals at risk of violent behavior within the schizophrenia population.