Disrupted integrity of the fornix in first-episode schizophrenia

Alterations of the fornix in chronic patients with psychosis are well established, but its integrity in the early stage of schizophrenia remains unknown. Thirty-two patients experiencing first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and 25 matched controls completed a DTI scan. DTI-tractography was used to estimate fractional anisotropy (FA) in bilateral fornices. The analysis showed significant overall FA reductions in the fornix in FES patients relative to controls. No significant correlations were found between FA values and clinical and sociodemographic data in FES patients. These findings revealed slight alterations along the fornix in early stage of schizophrenia.