Grey and White Matter Associations of Psychotic Experiences in a General Population Sample

There has been a substantial amount of research reporting altered volumes of grey matter structures and deviations in white matter tract integrity in people with schizophrenia in association with psychotic symptoms. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to the neuroimaging correlates of subclinical psychotic symptoms, so-called ‘psychotic experiences’ (PEs). PEs are relatively common within the general population, can negatively affect health, and may have differential associations in people with diagnosable disorders. There are many confounding factors that make it difficult to detect the direct effect of PEs on brain structures in small sample sizes. This study therefore made use of the large UK Biobank study to examine the grey and white matter associations of four different PEs (N=14,379 with imaging data and reporting a PE from the October 2018 release). Information about PEs was obtained through questions regarding personal experience of auditory or visual hallucinations, and delusional-like ideas about conspiracies and communications.