Disrupted white matter connectivity is associated with reduced cortical thickness in the cingulate cortex in schizophrenia

Introduction: Both impaired white matter connectivity and alterations in gray matter morphometry have repeatedly been reported in schizophrenia. Neurodevelopmental models propose a close linkage between gray matter alterations and white matter deficits. However, there are no studies investigating alterations in cortical thickness in relation to white matter connectivity changes. Methods: This combined diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) - surface based morphometry study examined a potential linkage between disruption in white matter connectivity and alterations in cortical thickness. Cortical thickness was analyzed using the FreeSurfer software package (version 4.0.5, http://surfer.nmr.harvard.edu)in a sample of 19 patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy controls. Results: Whole brain node-by-node correlational analysis revealed a highly significant association (r = -.8, p <.0001) between disturbed white matter connectivity in the superior temporal cortex and diminished cortical thickness in the posterior part of the cingulate cortex (Brodmann area 23/31). Conclusions: This result indicates a significant linkage between disturbed white matter connectivity and reduced cortical thickness in a relevant node of the default mode network that is held to be of high pathophysiological relevance in schizophrenia. The result moreover provides support for the assumption of a neurodevelopmental pathogenesis of the disorder. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.