Impact of gray matter reductions on theory of mind abilities in patients with schizophrenia

Koelkebeck K., Hirao K., Miyata J., Kawada R., Saze T., Dannlowski U., Ubukata S., Ohrmann P., Bauer J., Pedersen A., Fukuyama H., Sawamoto N., Takahashi H., Murai T.

Abstract

To identify the brain regions involved in the interpretation of intentional movement by patients with schizophrenia, we investigated the association between cerebral gray matter (GM) volumes and performance on a theory of mind (ToM) task using voxel-based morphometry. Eighteen patients with schizophrenia and thirty healthy controls participated in the study. Participants were given a moving shapes task that employs the interpretation of intentional movement. Verbal descriptions were rated according to intentionality. ToM performance deficits in patients were found to be positively correlated with GM volume reductions in the superior temporal sulcus and medial prefrontal cortex. Our findings confirm that divergent brain regions contribute to mentalizing abilities and that GM volume reductions impact behavioral deficits in patients with schizophrenia. © 2013 © Taylor & Francis.