Exploring concomitant neuroimaging and genetic alterations in patients with and patients without auditory verbal hallucinations: A pilot study and mini review.

OBJECTIVE: To explore concomitant neuroimaging and genetic alterations in patients with schizophrenia with or without auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), and to discuss the use of pattern recognition techniques in the development of an objective index that may improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for schizophrenia. METHODS: The pilot study included patients with schizophrenia with AVHs (SCH-AVH group) and without AVHs (SCH-no AVH group). High throughput sequencing (HTS) was performed to explore RNA networks. Global functional connectivity density (gFCD) analysis was performed to assess functional connectivity (FC) alterations of the default mode network (DMN). Quantitative long noncoding (lnc) RNA and mRNA expression data were related to peak T values of gFCDs using Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the SCH-no AVH group (n = 5), patients in the SCH-AVH group (n = 5) exhibited differences in RNA expression in RNA networks that were related to AVH severity, and displayed alterations in FC (reflected by gFCD differences) within the DMN (posterior cingulate and dorsal-medial prefrontal cortex), and in the right parietal lobe, left occipital lobe, and left temporal lobe. Peak lncRNA expression values were significantly related to peak gFCD T values within the DMN. CONCLUSION: Among patients with schizophrenia, there are concomitant FC and genetic expression alterations associated with AVHs. Data from pattern recognition studies may inform the development of an objective index aimed at improving early diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for patients with schizophrenia with and without AVHs.

Polymorphisms in Dopaminergic Genes in Schizophrenia and Their Implications in Motor Deficits and Antipsychotic Treatment.

Dopaminergic system dysfunction is involved in schizophrenia (SCZ) pathogenesis and can mediate SCZ-related motor disorders. Recent studies have gradually revealed that SCZ susceptibility and the associated motor symptoms can be mediated by genetic factors, including dopaminergic genes. More importantly, polymorphisms in these genes are associated with both antipsychotic drug sensitivity and adverse effects. The study of genetic polymorphisms in the dopaminergic system may help to optimize individualized drug strategies for SCZ patients. This review summarizes the current progress about the involvement of the dopamine system in SCZ-associated motor disorders and the motor-related adverse effects after antipsychotic treatment, with a special focus on polymorphisms in dopaminergic genes. We hypothesize that the genetic profile of the dopaminergic system mediates both SCZ-associated motor deficits associated and antipsychotic drug-related adverse effects. The study of dopaminergic gene polymorphisms may help to predict drug efficacy and decrease adverse effects, thereby optimizing treatment strategies.