Social cognition correlation to white matter integrity alteration in mirror neurons of schizophrenic patients: DTI study

Abstract Background It is postulated that mirror neurons (MNs) abnormalities are associated with social skills. Objectives Using DTI, altered structural connectivity and its association with social cognition in MNs-hub regions was investigated in schizophrenia in comparison to healthy. Methods Fifteen patients with schizophrenia in their first episode and 15 healthy controls were included in this study. They were subjected to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorder (SCID-I), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), with special consideration to “Anhedonia and Asociality” subscale, Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and a comprehensive cognitive assessment. DTI scans were acquired in patients and controls. FA and Trace of the regions of interest rich in mirror neurons were evaluated, i.e., anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), inferior parietal lobe (IPL) and premotor cortex (PMC). Results A significant difference in Trace of these 3 regions was observed in schizophrenia patients. There were no group differences in FA. There was a significant positive correlation between the Trace of the right IPL and right and left PMA, with the “Anhedonia & Associability” subscale. Conclusions Mirror neuron system in schizophrenia patients might be connected to negative symptoms, more specifically, to social deficits.