Cortical macro- and microstructure dependence as a potential biomarker in psychiatric disorders with excitatory symptoms

Motivation: This research is motivated by the need to understand the cortical macro-micro structural dependence (CMD) in bipolar disorder (BD) and its relation to psychosis behaviors. Goal(s): We aim to identify how CMD values differ between individuals with BD and healthy controls (HC) and to explore their associations with behavioral symptoms. Approach: We utilized diffusion MRI and permutation analysis to compare CMD values across brain regions in BD and HC, assessing relationships with psychosis behaviors. Results: Our findings reveal global reductions in CMD in BD, particularly in the frontal eye fields, correlating significantly with behavioral scores, suggesting CMD as a potential biomarker. Impact: Our findings highlight CMD as a promising biomarker for bipolar disorder, offering insights into its neurobiological mechanisms. This research paves the way for new inquiries into the relationship between cortical structure and psychiatric symptoms, potentially guiding future therapeutic interventions and patient management.