Two structural alteration patterns of the thalamus in patients with schizophrenia
Our findings demonstrate two neuroanatomical thalamic subtypes in schizophrenia. Subtype 1, characterized by severe and progressive thalamocortical deficits, represents a critical subgroup that may benefit from early detection and cognitive-focused interventions. The attenuation of subtype 2 in chronic illness suggests its pathophysiology may be distinct and associated with treatment or disease course. Future longitudinal studies tracking thalamic heterogeneity from the first-episode drug-naïve stage are essential to clarify the progression of these subtypes and their impact on cognitive decline.
Authors
- Yuan Xiao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8152-5068)
- Wei Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3459-3695)
- Qiannan Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0658-3748)
- Rebekka Lencer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4032-7297)
- Yi Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2386-2741)
- Bo Tao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5490-4668)
- Yi Lü (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7832-3019)
- Ziyang Gao
- Fei Zhu
Institutions
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
- Sichuan University (CN)
- West China Hospital of Sichuan University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Medicine
- Published
- 2025-12-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04562-5
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.47