Brain Network Topology in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia: Application of Graph Theory to Local and Global Indices

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript entitled ‘Brain Network Topology in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia: application of graph theory to local and global indices’ aims to investigate the brain network patterns in patients with deficit schizophrenia (SZD) and non-deficit t schizophrenia (SZND). When compared the healthy control, the T1-weighted high resolution MRI images indicates the SZD and SZND differed in terms of centrality and integration measures in nodes belonging to left temporo-parietal cortex and to the limbic system. The different patterns of SZD and SZND may provide useful information to explicate the neurobiology especially the brain network topology at the global level. I think the study was well performed and manuscript was inclusively and clearly written. I only have one comment/concern needs authors attention as below:

In Figure2, authors showed the local brain network differences from pairwise comparisons between HC and SZD, HC and SZND, and SZD and SZND. I’m wondering if authors can involve the representative images from each group to illustrate the difference, which make it easier and concise for the readers to understand the difference in MRI imaging.

 

Thanks.

Author Response

I would like to thank the reviewer for his/her positive comments.

Referring to the request to add the representative images from each group, we have assessed this possibility concluding that such kind of images would be scarcely informative since the differences would be little appreciable. As an example, you can find attached the HC and Deficit samples network, based on the degree centrality index. We choose such index and such groups since they are the most different between each other. As you can see, the images are not very explicit in representing the between groups differences. By contrary in figure 2 we focused on the significant nodes only, to clearly show the affected brain regions. 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors undertook to implement an interesting topic on Brain Network Topology in Deficit and Non-Deficit Schizophrenia: application of graph theory to local and global indices. The study was well planned and conducted. Introduction, purpose, material and methods are described in detail. The description of the results also raises no objections. The conclusions are clear. In preparing the manuscript, they used the current literature.

Author Response

I would like to thank the reviewer for his/her positive comments.

Best regards,

DV