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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Reduced cortical thickness in right Heschl’s gyrus associated with auditory verbal hallucinations severity in first-episode schizophrenia

Authors: Xudong Chen, Shengxiang Liang, Weidan Pu, Yinnan Song, Tumbwene E. Mwansisya, Qing Yang, Haihong Liu, Zhening Liu, Baoci Shan, Zhimin Xue

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) represent one of the most intriguing phenomena in schizophrenia, however, brain abnormalities underlying AVHs remain unclear. The present study examined the association between cortical thickness and AVHs in first-episode schizophrenia.

Method

High-resolution MR images were obtained in 49 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and 50 well-matched healthy controls (HCs). Among the FES patients, 18 suffered persistent AVHs (“auditory hallucination” AH group), and 31 never experienced AVHs (“no hallucination” NH group). The severity of AVHs was rated by the Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS). Cortical thickness differences among the three groups and their association with AVHs severity were examined.

Results

Compared to both HCs and NH patients, AH patients showed lower cortical thickness in the right Heschl’s gyrus. The degree of reduction in the cortical thickness was correlated with AVH severity in the AH patients.

Conclusions

Abnormalities of cortical thickness in the Heschl’s gyrus may be a physiological factor underlying auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Reduced cortical thickness in right Heschl’s gyrus associated with auditory verbal hallucinations severity in first-episode schizophrenia
Authors
Xudong Chen
Shengxiang Liang
Weidan Pu
Yinnan Song
Tumbwene E. Mwansisya
Qing Yang
Haihong Liu
Zhening Liu
Baoci Shan
Zhimin Xue
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0546-2

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