The arcuate fasciculus in auditory-verbal hallucinations: A meta-analysis of diffusion-tensor-imaging studies

Auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are associated with an impaired connectivity of large-scale networks. To examine the relationship between white-matter integrity and AVHs, we conducted a meta-analysis of diffusion-tensor-imaging studies that compared patients with schizophrenia and AVHs with matched healthy controls (HCs). Five studies were retained gathering 256 DTI data points, divided into AVHs (n = 106) and HCs (n = 150). The meta-analysis demonstrated a reduced fractional anisotropy in the left Arcuate Fasciculus (AF) of hallucinators (hg =  − 0.42; CI[− 0.69,− 0.16]; p < 10− 3). The current meta-analysis confirmed disruptions of white matter integrity in the left AF bundle of schizophrenia patients with AVHs.