Grey matter correlates of minor physical anomalies in the AeSOP first-episode psychosis study.

Background: Minor physical anomalies are more prevalent among people with psychosis. This supports a neurodevelopmental aetiology for psychotic disorders, since these anomalies and the brain are both ectodermally derived. However, little is understood about the brain regions implicated in this association.

Aims: To examine the relationship between minor physical anomalies and grey matter structure in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis.

Method: Sixty patients underwent assessment of minor physical anomalies with the Lane scale. High-resolution magnetic resonance images and voxel-based methods of image analysis were used to investigate brain structure in these patients.

Results: The total anomalies score was associated with a grey matter reduction in the prefrontal cortex and precuneus and with a grey matter excess in the basal ganglia, thalamus and lingual gyrus.

Conclusions: Minor physical anomalies in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis are associated with regional grey matter changes. These regional changes may be important in the pathogenesis of psychotic disorder.