The Relationship Between Grey Matter Volume and Clinical and Functional Outcomes in People at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
Authors: Tognin Stefania , Richter Anja , Kempton Matthew J , Modinos Gemma , Antoniades Mathilde , Azis Matilda , Allen Paul , Bossong Matthijs G , Perez Jesus , Pantelis Christos , Nelson Barnaby , Amminger Paul , Riecher-Rössler Anita , Barrantes-Vidal Neus , Krebs Marie-Odile , Glenthøj Birte , Ruhrmann Stephan , Sachs Gabriele , Rutten Bart P F , de Haan Lieuwe , van der Gaag Mark ,   EU-GEI High Risk Study Group, McGuire Philip , Valmaggia Lucia R , Calem Maria , Antoniades Mathilde , Pisani Sara , Modinos Gemma , de Haan Lieuwe , van der Gaag Mark , Velthorst Eva , Kraan Tamar C , van Dam Daniella S , Burger Nadine , Nelson Barnaby , McGorry Patrick , Amminger G Paul , Pantelis Christos , Politis Athena , Goodall Joanne , Riecher-Rössler Anita , Borgwardt Stefan , Studerus Erich , Bressan Rodrigo , Gadelha Ary , Brietzke Elisa , Asevedo Graccielle , Asevedo Elson , Zugman Andre , Barrantes-Vidal Neus , Domínguez-Martínez Tecelli , Racciopi Anna , Kwapil Thomas R , Monsonet Manel , Hinojosa Lídia , Kazes Mathilde , Daban Claire , Bourgin Julie , Gay Olivier , Mam-Lam-Fook Célia , Krebs Marie-Odile , Nordholm Dorte , Randers Lasse , Krakauer Kristine , Glenthøj Louise , Glenthøj Birte , Nordentoft Merete , Ruhrmann Stephan , Gebhard Dominika , Arnhold Julia , Klosterkötter Joachim , Sachs Gabriele , Lasser Iris , Winklbaur Bernadette , Aschauer Harald , Delespaul Philippe A , Rutten Bart P , van Os Jim , Valmaggia Lucia R , McGuire Philip 
Published: June 2022

Objective

To examine the association between baseline alterations in grey matter volume (GMV) and clinical and functional outcomes in people at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis.

Methods

265 CHR individuals and 92 healthy controls were recruited as part of a prospective multi-center study. After a baseline assessment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), participants were followed for at least two years to determine clinical and functional outcomes, including transition to psychosis (according to the Comprehensive Assessment of an At Risk Mental State, CAARMS), level of functioning (according to the Global Assessment of Functioning), and symptomatic remission (according to the CAARMS). GMV was measured in selected cortical and subcortical regions of interest (ROI) based on previous studies (ie orbitofrontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, gyrus rectus, inferior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, striatum, and hippocampus). Using voxel-based morphometry, we analysed the relationship between GMV and clinical and functional outcomes.

Results

Within the CHR sample, a poor functional outcome (GAF &lt; 65) was associated with relatively lower GMV in the right striatum at baseline (P &lt; .047 after Family Wise Error correction). There were no significant associations between baseline GMV and either subsequent remission or transition to psychosis.

Conclusions

In CHR individuals, lower striatal GMV was associated with a poor level of overall functioning at follow-up. This finding was not related to effects of antipsychotic or antidepressant medication. The failure to replicate previous associations between GMV and later psychosis onset, despite studying a relatively large sample, is consistent with the findings of recent large-scale multi-center studies.