Stability of functional language lateralization over time in schizophrenia patients
Schizophrenia Research. 2007-08-01; 94(1-3): 197-206
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2007.04.011
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1. Schizophr Res. 2007 Aug;94(1-3):197-206. Epub 2007 Jun 13.
Stability of functional language lateralization over time in schizophrenia
patients.
Razafimandimby A(1), Maïza O, Hervé PY, Lecardeur L, Delamillieure P, Brazo P,
Mazoyer B, Tzourio-Mazoyer N, Dollfus S.
Author information:
(1)Groupe d’Imagerie Neurofonctionnelle, UMR 6194 CNRS/CEA/Universités de Caen et
Paris 5, GIP Cyceron, Bld Henri Becquerel, 14074 Caen Cedex, France.
BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional functional imaging studies have shown a reduced
leftward language lateralization in schizophrenic patients. An unanswered
question is whether this reduced leftward lateralization is stable over time or
is modified over the course of the illness.
METHODS: Ten right-handed (RH) patients (DSM-IV) and 10 RH controls were matched
one-to-one for sex, age, and level of education. The subjects underwent two
separate fMRI sessions while engaged in a story listening task, 21 months apart.
After each session, story comprehension (task performance) was assessed through a
12-item questionnaire. The stability of the decreased asymmetry indices in the
semantic region of interest (LANG) was investigated with an ANOVA to compare
groups and sessions. In order to test the evolution of functional asymmetry
indices at an individual level, a linear correlation between both fMRI session
asymmetry indices was calculated in all subjects. Correlations between asymmetry
indices and the severity of psychotic symptoms or task performances were
computed.
RESULTS: The asymmetry indices of the LANG were significantly reduced in patients
as compared to controls and strongly correlated between sessions. Values of
asymmetry indices were unrelated to either psychotic symptoms or task
performances.
CONCLUSIONS: This reduced leftward lateralization for language did not vary over
time and was not influenced by the psychosis severity or the task performances.
This result reinforces the hypothesis that schizophrenia is characterized by a
particular organization of language.
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2007.04.011
PMID: 17570644 [Indexed for MEDLINE]