Increases in Intrinsic Thalamocortical Connectivity and Overall Cognition Following Cognitive Remediation in Chronic Schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Thalamic projections to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are critical for cognition, and disruptions in these circuits are thought to underlie the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Cognitive remediation (REM) is a behavioral intervention that holds promise for improving cognition and functioning in schizophrenia, however the extent to which it affects thalamo-prefrontal connections has not been researched. This study sought to determine whether patients with schizophrenia who undergo a placebo-controlled trial of REM show increased functional connectivity between the thalamus and PFC, and whether these changes correspond to improvements in cognition.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with chronic schizophrenia were randomized to either 48 hours (over 16 weeks) of a drill-and

SUBMITTER: Ramsay IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5455781 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature