Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding schizophrenia by identifying a distinct brain network that links areas of atrophy associated with the condition. The study analyzed data from over 90 studies and more than 8,000 participants to create an atrophy connectivity map that overlaps with regions linked to schizophrenia.
The network was found to be consistent across stages and symptoms of the disease and is distinct from other psychiatric or neurological conditions. This discovery could guide personalized treatments and a clinical trial targeting this network with transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The study used coordinate network mapping (CNM) to estimate the overlap between atrophy locations and functional brain networks, revealing a unique pattern that differs from other brain connectivity maps developed for aging patients or those with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, major depressive disorder, or substance use disorders.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/schizophrenia-brain-network-28237