Presentation Abstract:
Alterations in subcortical structures have been found in individuals with
schizophrenia and across the psychosis spectrum. Repeated studies have
shown hippocampal volume reduction in schizophrenia patients. On the low
end of the spectrum, hippocampal and thalamic volume reduction was seen in
clinical high-risk individuals compared to healthy controls (Harrisberger,
2016). Our study focuses one step lower on the spectrum and examines the
subcortical volumes of healthy adults who endorse having psychotic-like
experiences (PLE). Using the Human Connectome Project data, 104 adults with
high PLEs (endorsing >2 thought problems on Achenbach Self Report), and 208
matched controls were selected. MRI data was analyzed in FreeSurfer to
obtain subcortical structure volumes. We hypothesized lower hippocampal and
thalamic volume in high PLE individuals relative to controls. Analyses
showed no difference in hippocampal volume (p = n.s) nor other subcortical
structures in high PLE individuals relative to controls. Potential future
research might focus on understanding the emergence of behavioral
alterations in high PLE individuals at the absence of anatomical
alterations in these regions.
