Innovative Neuroimaging-Based Model Links Brain Changes to Schizophrenia

Recent advances in neuroimaging research have led to the development of a comprehensive theoretical framework that clarifies the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia. By analyzing meta-analyses of numerous neuroimaging studies, researchers at Taipei Medical University identified consistent patterns of brain alterations associated with the disorder. This large-scale review focused on structural and functional brain changes across different stages of schizophrenia, from prodromal phases to chronic illness, and mapped these alterations to understand their progression over time.

The study reveals that early changes in the medial prefrontal cortex, involved in neurodevelopmental processes, occur in the initial stages. As the disorder advances, damage expands to regions like the insula and superior temporal gyrus, which are linked to auditory processing and perception. Dysfunction in large-scale brain networks, including the default-mode network, is also observed and correlates with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

Importantly, the research highlights that at the chronic stage, alterations become more widespread, notably impacting the thalamus and prefrontal cortex—areas critical for cognition. These ongoing changes may underpin the cognitive decline often seen in long-term schizophrenia. The proposed model emphasizes the role of immune-related processes and the cerebrospinal fluid in spreading pathological alterations, opening new avenues for research.

The researchers aim to advance their framework further by testing hypotheses related to immune mechanisms and sensory cortex deficits that could contribute to modality-specific hallucinations. Their goal is to move toward a mechanistic understanding of the disorder, facilitating the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. This innovative approach represents a significant step toward unraveling the complex neurobiology of schizophrenia and improving treatment strategies.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-theoretical-neuroimaging-link-brain-schizophrenia.html