一項(xiàng)來自《精神分裂癥研究》（Schizophrenia Research）雜志的研究發(fā)現(xiàn)：精神分裂癥家族遺傳史陽性的健康成人言語功能相關(guān)腦區(qū)發(fā)生改變,，提示這種腦區(qū)的改變可能是精神分裂癥的遺傳易感性特征標(biāo)記物，而非該疾病進(jìn)展過程中產(chǎn)生的特殊標(biāo)記物。
Lynn DeLisi 及其團(tuán)隊(duì)將77位健康成人納入研究,，分兩組,。精神分裂癥高遺傳風(fēng)險(xiǎn)組（FHR）46位（女32，男16）,，平均年齡25歲,。對照組31（女13，男18）,，平均18歲,。FHR組至少有一個(gè)一級親屬患有精神分裂癥，一個(gè)二級或三級親屬有精神疾病發(fā)作,、自殺或因精神疾病住院史,。對照組精神疾病家族遺傳史陰性。所有受試者檢查頭顱磁共振（MRI）,，并采用由11個(gè)詞匯組成的神經(jīng)心理測驗(yàn)來檢測其言語功能,。
研究發(fā)現(xiàn)：兩組的言語功能無明顯差異，但是FHR組腹外側(cè)前額皮質(zhì)的左側(cè)額下回三角與右側(cè)額下回眶部灰質(zhì)體積明顯減小,，且FHR組左側(cè)額下回三角與右側(cè)額下回眶部灰質(zhì)體積與言語功能測驗(yàn)得分之間有一定相關(guān)性,。
Lynn DeLisi總結(jié)“未來研究需證實(shí)這種改變是否精神分裂癥的內(nèi)在表型,，并運(yùn)用復(fù)雜言語測試來檢驗(yàn)FHR組相應(yīng)言語功能是否受損,。”（生物谷Bioon.com）
doi:10.1016/j.schres.2012.07.015
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Alterations in brain structures underlying language function in young adults at high familial risk for schizophrenia
Alan N. Francis, Larry J. Seidman, Gul A. Jabbar, Raquelle Mesholam-Gately, Heidi W. Thermenos, Richard Juelich, Ashley C. Proal, Martha Shenton, Marek Kubicki, Ian Mathew, Matcheri Keshavan, Lynn E. DeLisi
Introduction
Neuroanatomical and cognitive alterations typical of schizophrenia (SZ) patients are observed to a lesser extent in their adolescent and adult first-degree relatives, likely reflecting neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with genetic risk for the illness. The anatomical pathways for language are hypothesized to be abnormal and to underlie the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Examining non-psychotic relatives at high familial risk (FHR) for schizophrenia may clarify if these deficits represent trait markers associated with genetic vulnerability, rather than specific markers resulting from the pathological process underlying schizophrenia.
Methods
T1 MRI scans from a 3T Siemens scanner of young adult FHR subjects (N=46) and controls with no family history of illness (i.e. at low genetic risk LRC; N=31) were processed using FreeSurfer 5.0. We explored volumetric and lateralization alterations in regions associated with language processing. An extensive neuropsychological battery of language measures was administered.
Results
No significant differences were observed between groups on any language measures. Controlling intracranial volume, significantly smaller left pars triangularis (PT) (p<0.01) and right pars orbitalis (PO) (p<0.01) volumes and reversal of the L>R pars orbitalis (p<0.001) lateralization were observed in FHR subjects. In addition, the L pars triangularis and R pars orbitalis correlated with performance on tests of linguistic function in the FHR group.
Conclusions
Reduced volume and reversed structural asymmetry in language-related regions hypothesized to be altered in SZ are also found in first degree relatives at FHR, despite normal language performance. To clarify if these findings are endophenotypes for Sz, future studied would need to be performed of ill and well family members no longer within the age range of risk for illness to show these deficits segregate with schizophrenia within families. Moreover, measures of complex language need to be studied to determine if FHR individuals manifest impairments in some aspects of language function.
