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Sensorimotor Cortex and Supplementary Motor Area Changes in Schizophrenia

A Study with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. Schröder*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
F. Wenz
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Heidelberg
L. R. Schad
Affiliation:
German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany
K. Baudendistel
Affiliation:
German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany
M. V. Knopp
Affiliation:
German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, Germany
*
Dr Schröder, Department of Psychiatry, Voß-Strasse 4, 69115 Heidelberg, FRG. Fax: (06 221) 563477

Abstract

Background

Neurological soft signs (NSS) such as a disturbed finger-to-thumb opposition are frequently found in schizophrenia. To identify the underlying cerebral changes we investigated sensorimotor cortex and supplementary motor area (SMA) activation during finger-to-thumb opposition using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Method

Ten DSM–III–R schizophrenics and seven healthy controls were included. All subjects were right-handed. fMRI was carried out in a resting condition followed by an activation state (finger-to-thumb opposition) and the activities in the sensorimotor cortices and SMA recorded.

Results

All subjects showed a significant activation of the SMA and both ipsilateral and contralateral sensorimotor cortices. In the controls, ipsilateral finger-to-thumb opposition was associated with a greater left than right hemispheric sensorimotor cortex coactivation. When compared with the healthy controls, the schizophrenic patients showed a decreased activation of both sensorimotor cortices and SMA, as well as a reversed lateralisation effect.

Conclusion

Sensorimotor cortex and SMA dysfunction are associated with motor disturbances in schizophrenia.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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