Psychosis, Gray-matter Loss and the Inflamed Brain

A long-term MRE study of individuals showing gradual symptoms of psychosis has illustrated a peculiar loss of gray matter in the frontal lobe. This draws further questions regarding the origin of this condition, according to research conducted by Yale University, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry. Researchers recruited 274 individuals at high risk for psychosis, and were given a baseline MRI scan, followed by a follow-up scan either a year later or when full symptoms manifested. Compared to a similarly sized control group, those who developed full psychosis showed a distinct thinning in the prefrontal cortex. Upon further analysis, this condition could not be attributed to the use of antipsychotic drugs, implying that this thinning of the brain is associated directly with psychosis. The lead author of the study suggested, “The findings are also important in showing that markers of proinflammatory cytokines at the baseline assessment predicted the rate of gray matter loss among the individuals who converted to psychosis, suggesting that activation of microglia was involved in the tissue loss. This could mean that psychosis is associated with an abnormal acceleration in the processes underlying normal synaptic pruning during late adolescence/early adulthood, or that some kind of immune-related process is involved in psychosis onset, or both.” To learn more about this study, click here.