%0 Journal Article
%T Quantitative T1 Mapping Reveals Alterations in Cortical Microstructure Across Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
%A Maria Alessandra Ricci
%A Francesca Paola Greco
%J Journal of Medical Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research
%@ 3108-4826
%D 2021
%V 1
%N 1
%R 10.51847/3ntaK3QPyE
%P 177-188
%X Alterations of the cerebral cortex are a well-documented feature of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD), with frontal and temporal regions being particularly affected. Despite this, the majority of prior neuroimaging research has emphasized macrostructural characteristics—such as cortical thickness, volume, and surface area—rather than properties at the tissue microstructural level. Quantitative T1 (qT1) imaging enables in vivo assessment of cortical microstructure and is thought to predominantly reflect variations in myelin content.

The study included fourteen individuals diagnosed with SSD and seven demographically comparable healthy controls. All participants underwent qT1 imaging using two acquisition approaches: a single-echo protocol and a multi-echo protocol.

After adjusting for age and sex, individuals with SSD exhibited significantly higher qT1 values in frontal and temporal cortices relative to controls. This effect was observed exclusively with the single-echo qT1 acquisition. Furthermore, within the SSD group, sex exerted a modulatory effect on qT1 measures, such that female patients showed lower qT1 values than male patients when assessed with the single-echo protocol.

The findings are consistent with disrupted cortical myelination in frontal and temporal regions in SSD. In addition, the results underscore the critical role of acquisition protocol choice, as discrepancies between qT1 methods remain evident despite advances aimed at improving the quantitative robustness of these techniques.

●Extensive cortical abnormalities are evident in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, particularly within frontotemporal regions.

●Increased qT1 values indicate reduced cortical myelination in individuals with SSD.

●Methodological choices in qT1 acquisition substantially influence observed outcomes, emphasizing the need for careful protocol selection.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/quantitative-t1-mapping-reveals-alterations-in-cortical-microstructure-across-schizophrenia-spectrum-vfk9wzmjslokg7r