The Neuroanatomical Basis of Panic Disorder and Social Phobia in Schizophrenia: A Voxel Based Morphometric Study

Abstract

ObjectiveIt is known that there is a high prevalence of certain anxiety disorders among schizophrenic patients, especially panic disorder and social phobia. However, the neural underpinnings of the comorbidity of such anxiety disorders and schizophrenia remain unclear. Our study aims to determine the neuroanatomical basis of the co-occurrence of schizophrenia with panic disorder and social phobia.MethodsVoxel-based morphometry was used in order to examine brain structure and to measure between-group differences, comparing magnetic resonance images of 20 anxious patients, 20 schizophrenic patients, 20 schizophrenic patients with comorbid anxiety, and 20 healthy control subjects.ResultsCompared to the schizophrenic patients, we observed smaller grey-matter volume (GMV) decreases in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and precentral gyrus in the schizophrenic-anxiety group. Additionally, the schizophrenic group showed significantly reduced GMV in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, precentral gyrus, orbitofrontal cortex, temporal gyrus and angular/inferior parietal gyrus when compared to the control group.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the comorbidity of schizophrenia with panic disorder and social phobia might be characterized by specific neuroanatomical and clinical alterations that may be related to maladaptive emotion regulation related to anxiety. Even thought our findings need to be replicated, our study suggests that the identification of neural abnormalities involved in anxiety, schizophrenia and schizophrenia-anxiety may lead to an improved diagnosis and management of these conditions.

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 1 Gene Methylation and Panic Disorder Severity: Making the Connection by Brain Gray Matter Volume

“…A previous meta-analysis of PD conducted by our research group revealed significant volume reductions in the right insula [extending to the PoCG, right inferior frontal gyrus, rolandic operculum, superior temporal gyrus (STG) and putamen], median cingulate/paracingulate gyrus, and SFG ( 13 ). In addition, some researchers have reported significant volume reductions in parietal regions ( 14 ) and the THA ( 15 ) in PD patients, whereas significant increases in volume have been found in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), midbrain ( 16 ) and cuneus ( 17 ). The PoCG has been associated with functions of receiving, integrating, and interpreting most of the sensory information in the human body ( 18 ).…”