The Corpus Callosum in Schizoaffective Disorder: A Shape Analysis Study

Abstract

Objective: The corpus callosum is the largest white matter structure in the human brain that connects the cortical regions of both hemispheres. Diseases could lead to degenerative alterations in brain structures such as the corpus callosum (CC). Studies have associated CC abnormalities with Schizoaffective Disorder (SAD) symptoms. We predicted that there may be differences in the CC, an important structure connecting the two halves of the brain, in patients with SAD. The present study aims to analyze the CC of patients with statistical shape analysis (SSA) and compare the findings with healthy controls. Methods: Thirty-nine SAD patients and 39 healthy individuals (11 females and 28 males) of similar age that included subjects participated in the study. CC landmarks were marked on the mid-sagittal images of each participant. The mean ‘Procrustes’ point was determined, and shape deformations were analyzed with thin plate spline analysis. Results: Significant differences were observed between the shapes of CC in the two groups, and maximum CC deformation was observed in the posterior regions of SAD patients. There was no significant difference between the CC area of the SAD patients and the controls. Conclusion: In the present study, the maximum deformation was observed in the posterior region (isthmus and splenium) and the rostrum of the CC. The first CC region, the rostrum (+genu), connects prefrontal and premotor regions, which are associated with cognitive information (landmarks = 1, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, and 12). The second area, the splenium, connects temporal and occipital cortical areas. These predominantly have auditory, peripheral, and central visual stimulation functions (landmarks = 5, 3, and 4). The current study could assist future studies on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of SAD.