Resting-state hypothalamic dysconnectivity associates with symptom severity in schizophrenia

Motivation: The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is crucial in stress response in schizophrenia. The hypothalamus is an essential part of the HPA axis. The hypothalamic connections with brain regions in schizophrenia. Goal(s): This study examined hypothalamic resting-state functional connectivity (FC) in schizophrenia and how hypothalamic FCs related to symptom severity. Approach: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 235 patients with schizophrenia and 222 healthy controls. We processed the imaging data with published routines and evaluated the results at a corrected threshold. Results: Relative to healthy controls, schizophrenia showed lower hypothalamic FCs with mesocorticolimbic regions, which were connected with symptom severity. Impact: Decreased hypothalamic functional connectivities, which are associated with symptomology, extend the understanding of functional connectivity alterations and suggest the potential pathophysiology of stress response dysfunction in schizophrenia, which needs further study.