The different effect of adverse childhood experiences on Theory of Mind brain networks in schizophrenia and healthy controls

Introduction Deficit in Theory of Mind (ToM) is a core feature schizophrenia (SZ), while adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can contribute to worsen ToM abilities through their effect on brain functioning, structure and connectivity. Objectives Here, we investigated the effects ACEs functional connectivity (FC) during an affective cognitive task (AToM, CToM) healthy control (HC) SZ, whether FC predict performance at patients’ symptoms severity. Methods The sample included 26 HC 33 SZ. In fMRI session, participants performed targeting domains. Whole-brain patterns local correlation (LC) multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) were extracted. significant MVPA clusters used as seeds further seed-based analyses. Second-level analyses modelled investigate interaction between ACEs, diagnosis, task, corrected for age, sex, equivalent doses chlorpromazine (p<0.05 FWE). values significantly affected by (Risky Family Questionnaire) entered cross-validated LASSO regression predicting severity (Positive Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS) measures (accuracy response time). Results AToM, LC showed different ACE SZ frontal pole, caudate cerebellum. widespread cortico-limbic regions, including prefrontal cortex, precuneus, insula, parahippocampus, cingulate temporal thalamus, cerebellum AToM CToM. SBC found target regions cerebellum, pre postcentral gyrus, lateral occipital angular paracingulate gyrus. predicted PANSS score (R 2 =0.49) latency time =0.37). Conclusions Our findings highlighted networks Notably, these predictive behavioral clinical outcomes. Disclosure Interest None Declared