New Research Links Grip Strength to Brain Connectivity and Psychosis Risk

Recent research highlights a novel connection between grip strength, brain network function, and early psychosis. Led by Indiana University Assistant Professor Alexandra Moussa-Tooks, the study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry explores how a simple motor measure—grip strength—may serve as an important indicator of brain health and psychological well-being in individuals experiencing early signs of psychosis.

Psychosis often manifests initially through motor disturbances rather than classic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions. These motor issues, particularly decreased grip strength, are associated with negative outcomes such as lower quality of life, increased mortality risk, and impaired daily functioning. Despite these correlations, the relationship between grip strength and brain function has not been thoroughly studied.

In this groundbreaking study, researchers examined data from the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis, involving 89 individuals within five years of psychotic illness and 51 healthy controls. The findings revealed that those with early psychosis tended to have lower grip strength and diminished well-being scores. Importantly, both measures correlated with alterations in brain connectivity, especially in the anterior cingulate cortex, sensorimotor cortex, and cerebellum—regions connected to the default mode network, a critical brain network involved in self-referential thought and regulation.

Higher grip strength and better well-being scores were linked to stronger connectivity among these key brain networks, which suggests that motor abilities and psychological health are interconnected through shared neural pathways. These insights provide promising targets for developing new treatments, such as noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), aimed at enhancing connectivity within the default mode network. Additionally, motor training through physical activity might indirectly bolster brain function and mitigate psychosis symptoms.

Moussa-Tooks emphasizes the simplicity and interpretability of motor assessments like grip strength compared to complex cognitive tasks. She likens psychosis to a house on fire—where symptoms like hallucinations and delusions are the smoke. Addressing the underlying ‘fire’ or its source through early motor disturbances could lead to more effective intervention strategies that target the root causes of psychosis.

Overall, this research bridges motor function, brain connectivity, and mental health, paving the way for innovative approaches in understanding and treating psychosis.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-strength-psychosis.html