View Item 
        •   Utrecht University Student Theses Repository Home
        • UU Theses Repository
        • Theses
        • View Item
        •   Utrecht University Student Theses Repository Home
        • UU Theses Repository
        • Theses
        • View Item
        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of UU Student Theses RepositoryBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

        Effects of continuation versus discontinuation of antipsychotic treatment on white matter microstructure in first episode psychosis

        Thumbnail
        View/Open
        Thesis_MinorRP_Julia_vdA_6285333.pdf (573.1Kb)
        Publication date
        2023
        Author
        A, Julia van der
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Summary
        Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have reported decreased white matter (WM) integrity in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. However, the impact of long-term exposure and discontinuation of antipsychotic medications on WM in FEP patients is unclear. Methods: Fifty-four FEP patients three to six months in remission underwent DTI scanning at baseline and 31 patients were re-scanned after 12 months, during which patients either continued or discontinued antipsychotic medication. Voxel-wise between-group (continue/discontinue) comparisons of fractional anisotropy (FA) values were performed at baseline and follow-up. Additionally, linear mixed models were performed to assess the interaction between time (baseline/follow-up) and continuation versus discontinuation on FA values of WM tracts. Results: Voxel-wise between group comparisons demonstrated no significant differences in FA at baseline or follow-up. However, longitudinal analyses indicated increased FA in the left (t = 2.53, p = 0.0181) and right (t = 2.38, p = 0.0251) corticospinal tract after antipsychotic discontinuation, although the results did not survive multiple comparisons correction. Further, a trend toward a relationship between the decrease in antipsychotic dosage and increased FA in the right cingulum (t = 2.029, p = 0.0597) was observed. Conclusions: The current study provided tentative evidence that discontinuation of antipsychotics after achieving remission from FEP is associated with increased FA in the bilateral corticospinal tract. Future studies should investigate whether the changes in FA observed in this study reflect reversal of a pathological process, as this can provide important insight into the potential risks and/or benefits of antipsychotic maintenance treatment after FEP.
        URI
        https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/43693
        Collections
        • Theses
        Utrecht university logo