Pharmacopsychiatry 2025; 58(03): 150
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1807316
Abstracts | AGNP/DGBP
Poster

Neuronal Correlates of Delusional Symptomatology in Affective and Psychotic Disorders

L Kercher
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
L Koob
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
R Mülfarth
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
S Seuffert
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
L Teutenberg
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
F Thomas-Odenthal
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
P Usemann
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
S Meinert
3   Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
4   Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
T Borgers
3   Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
K Flinkenflügel
3   Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
N Alexander
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
H Jamalabadi
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
B Straube
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
U Dannlowski
3   Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
T Kircher
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
,
F Stein
1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
2   Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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    Background: Delusions are a thought disorder characterized by an uncorrectable misinterpretation of reality, significantly impairing patients’ quality of life. Despite their relevance in psychotic disorders, the neurobiological underpinnings of delusions across affective and psychotic disorders remain insufficiently understood.

    Methods: Data from 1,329 participants were analyzed, including n=1,006 patients with major depressive disorder, n=164 with bipolar disorder, and n=150 with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Delusions were assessed using the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS). A factor analysis of twelve delusional themes was conducted to identify subdimensions. Structural MRI data (T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging) were used to investigate volumetric changes in gray and white matter. Multiple regression analyses in CAT12 and FSL were used to investigate the association of delusions and brain structure across diagnoses.

    Results: Delusions were associated with reduced gray matter volume in the thalamus and increased white matter in the right posterior crus of internal capsule and the superior longitudinal fasciculus bilaterally. These findings remained stable after controlling for medication and diagnosis. Factor analysis revealed two distinct delusional dimensions: “thought control and influence delusions” and “personal and bodily delusions”. Notably, thalamic alterations were specifically linked to personal and bodily delusions, but not to thought control and influence delusions.

    Conclusion: The findings suggest a key role of the thalamus in personal and bodily delusions, independent of psychiatric diagnosis. Given the thalamus´ central function in information processing, this may reflect alterations in decision-making networks. Additionally, increases in white matter integrity in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and internal capsule indicate disruptions in long-range connectivity, which may contribute to impaired cognitive integration in delusional symptomatology. Understanding these mechanisms could provide new insights for targeted therapeutic approaches.


     

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    Artikel online veröffentlicht:
    30. April 2025

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