Functional Decoupling of Language and Self-Reference Networks in Patients with Persistent Auditory Verbal Hallucinations

Abstract

Background: Accumulating neuroimaging evidence suggests that abnormal intrinsic neural activity could underlie auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in patients with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the functional interplay between distinct intrinsic neural networks and their association with AVH. Methods: We investigated functional network connectivity (FNC) of distinct resting-state networks as well as the relationship between FNC strength and AVH symptom severity. Resting-state functional MRI data at 3 T were obtained for 14 healthy controls and 10 patients with schizophrenia presenting with persistent AVH. The data were analyzed using a spatial group independent component analysis, followed by constrained maximal lag correlations to determine FNC within and between groups. Results: Four components of interest, comprising language, attention, executive control networks, as well as the default-mode network (DMN), were selected for subsequent FNC analyses. Patients with persistent AVH showed lower FNC between the language network and the DMN (p < 0.05, corrected for false discovery rate). FNC strength, however, was not significantly related to symptom severity, as measured by the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale. Conclusion: These findings suggest that disrupted FNC between a speech-related system and a network subserving self-referential processing is associated with AVH. The data are consistent with a model of disrupted self-attribution of speech generation and perception.

Intrinsic neural network dynamics in catatonia

“…Contributions of DMN to catatonia are noteworthy given that this system essentially integrates internal and external stimuli to a coherent self‐model (Metzinger, 2008 ) that is capable to distinguish between self‐generated activity and extraneous processes (Ebisch & Aleman, 2016 ). Decoupling of language networks and DMN has been recently shown in patients with auditory verbal hallucinations, where DMN dysfunction could explain the lacking sense of agency while experiencing voices in the absence of a corresponding external stimulus (Broyd et al, 2009 ; Buckner & DiNicola, 2019 ; Kubera et al, 2019 ; Kubera et al, 2020 ). Similarly, reduced connectivity between SM and DMN may lead to spatiotemporal disintegration and subsequent difficulties in coordinating movements and behavior.…”

“…Decoupling of language networks and DMN has been recently shown in patients with auditory verbal hallucinations, where DMN dysfunction could explain the lacking sense of agency while experiencing voices in the absence of a corresponding external stimulus (Broyd et al, 2009;Buckner & DiNicola, 2019;Kubera et al, 2019;Kubera et al, 2020).…”

Assessment of resting state structural-functional relationships in perisylvian region during the early weeks after birth

“…Such biomarkers can be used effectively for early diagnosis at ages when cognitive impairments symptoms have not yet appeared or functional measures are difficult to acquire. While joint S-F analysis facilitated the diagnosis of language and neurodevelopmental disorders during adulthood (42)(43)(44), such joint studies have not been conducted on neonates yet. Zhang et al, (14) discovered atypical patterns of S-F couplings in premature birth.…”

Self-reference Network-Related Interactions During the Process of Cognitive Impairment in the Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…However, little evidence of a self-reference network (SRN) has been found in AD studies. It appears that most research placed the self-reference processing of the SRN under that of default-mode network (DMN) concepts; therefore, there is not much active research being done on their differences (Whitfield-Gabrieli and Ford, 2012;Davey et al, 2016;de Caso et al, 2017;Soch et al, 2017;Kubera et al, 2020). SRN shares some similarities with the DMN in brain regions and the processing function of self-reference (Potvin et al, 2019), whereas the operational type and activated regions (including driving and driven hubs) in the brain have been reported to be different.…”