Structural Thalamofrontal Hypoconnectivity Is Related to Oculomotor Corollary Discharge Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1473-18.2019
• Publication Date: 2019-01-10T22:45:17Z
• Authors: Beier Yao; Sebastiaan F.W. N...; Martin Rolfs; Lara Rösler; Ilse A. Thompson; Helene J. Hopman; Livon Ghermezi; René S. Kahn; Katharine N. Thakkar
• Keywords: Superior colliculus; Corollary; Efference copy

By predicting sensory consequences of actions, humans can distinguish self-generated inputs from those that are elicited externally. This is one mechanism by which we achieve a subjective sense agency over our actions. Corollary discharge (CD) signals—“copies” motor signals sent to areas—permit such predictions, and CD abnormalities hypothesized for the disruptions in schizophrenia characterize subset symptoms. Indeed, behavioral evidence altered CD, including oculomotor system, has been observed patients. A pathway projecting superior colliculus frontal eye fields (FEFs) via mediodorsal thalamus (MD) conveys associated with saccadic movements nonhuman primates. animal work provides promising translational framework investigate clinical populations. In current study, examined whether structural connectivity this MD–FEF relates functioning schizophrenia. Twenty-two patients 24 healthy control participants both sexes underwent diffusion tensor imaging, large performed trans-saccadic perceptual task yields measures CD. Using probabilistic tractography, identified anatomical connections between FEF MD extracted indices microstructural integrity. Patients exhibited compromised integrity pathway, was correlated greater more severe psychotic These data reinforce role transmitting suggest disturbances may relate symptom manifestation SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT People sometimes experience agency, stem abnormal predictions about their own Consistent notion, study found reduced specific brain transmit sensorimotor prediction Reduced impaired